Carnival Trivia Questions

Carnival derives from 'carne levare' or 'carnem levare,' meaning to remove meat, referencing the Christian tradition of fasting from meat during Lent.

Rio's Carnival evolved from Entrudo, a rowdy Portuguese celebration where people threw mud and water at each other. It was later refined with parades and samba.

Old floats are often refurbished or rebuilt, but most are modern. The oldest continuously used float is the 'Rex' float from the 1870s, but many are newer.

Most Mardi Gras beads are cheap plastic imports from China. They were never traditionally made from glass in New Orleans, despite the myth.

In Uruguay's Carnival and parts of Europe, 'Carnival King' or 'Mr. Carnival' effigies are burned to symbolize the end of revelry and start of Lent.

After Napoleon's conquest ended the Venetian Republic in 1797, the centuries-old carnival ceased. It was revived in 1979, attracting millions of visitors today.

Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is widely considered the world's largest, attracting around two million people per day. It has held the Guinness World Record for largest carnival, distinguishing it from large street festivals like Notting Hill.

The Calypso Monarch competition, a showcase of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival, traditionally awards the winner a new car along with cash and a trophy.