Fat Tuesday

[ fat tooz-dey, -dee, tyooz- ]

noun

1. Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent: probably named for the practice of consuming rich foods such as butter and eggs in order to use them up before the fast of Lent. Shrove Tuesday ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fat Tuesday¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

In fact, I’m the Aunt Crabby who didn’t think we should even be holding our citywide Super Bowl street party on Ash Wednesday, when everyone knows that Fat Tuesday is the right day for revelry.

From Seattle Times

Celebrated as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in other parts of the world, the name Shrove Tuesday derives from the English word meaning to seek forgiveness or be granted absolution.

From Seattle Times

This colorful, wreath-shaped cake is featured from January 6th until Fat Tuesday in the finest bakeries and the lowliest of supermarkets and just about everywhere in between.

From Salon

The drive-through is usually open on Fridays through Sundays, but customers have asked if the couple would be selling cakes on Fat Tuesday.

From New York Times

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, marks the party’s climax and the celebration will be citywide, with costumed revelers jamming the Quarter and parades proceeding from Uptown to downtown with other events in the suburbs.

From Seattle Times