Carnival (English)

Where does "Carnival" come from?

The word 'carnival' likely traces back to the Medieval Latin phrase 'carne vale', which literally translates to 'flesh, farewell.' This served as a final celebration before the restrictive fasting of Lent, when the eating of meat was forbidden. The term moved from Italian into Middle French and eventually English, transitioning from a specific religious season of indulgence into the general festive celebration we recognize today.

Updated May 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris