A lithe woman in crocodile mask and a wagging scaly tail dangling ... and waved her still-greasy hands. Swathed in the New Orleans Mardi Gras madness, I forgot to peep into history and etymology.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) In New Orleans, some African Americans mask in elaborate beaded and feathered Mardi Gras ...

Thousands of revelers in outlandish costumes filled the streets of New Orleans as the city celebrated Mardi Gras Day despite the threat of storms. The culmination of a weekslong Carnival ...

People donning skeleton masks and antlers on their heads gathered in New Orleans' historic Treme neighborhood ... an expected storm and celebrate Mardi Gras Day as they always have.

Known for its spectacular parades, floats, marching bands, throws, and King cake, Mardi Gras is the biggest celebration in New Orleans. The first recorded Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took ...

As the sun rose on Fat Tuesday, people donning skeleton masks and antlers ... on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The Department of Homeland Security upgraded Mardi Gras to its highest risk rating ...