Mardi Graaaaaaaas!

Waiting for the Krewe of Bacchus parade  Sean Gardner / Reuters

It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans ~ and, increasingly, a few other places ~ and you know what that means! (slideshow): http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/mardi-gras-let-the-good-times-roll/2013/02/12/4de795bc-7529-11e2-aa12-e6cf1d31106b_gallery.html#photo=1
   But, seriously now, what does it really mean?: http://www.history.com/topics/mardi-gras