Everybody knows about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but not everybody observes Fat Tuesday in the same way.
There are other terms for the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, when Christians cinch up their belts and live more simply. In some denominations, including the Anglican and Episcopal churches, it's called Shrove Tuesday. "Shrove" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word, and it means "absolved of sins."
Leading into the Lenten season, it's traditional for the faithful to clear their cupboards of rich foods, including fats, eggs and sugar. Episcopal churches observe the custom by eating pancakes.
The Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in downtown Kansas City has been serving pancakes for years on the Sunday morning before Lent begins, but this year they're doing it on Tuesday evening, hoping to bring in more visitors with their parishioners.
Since 1950, Olney women have run races against women in Liberal, Kansas. Both cities observe old rules that require racers to wear "traditional housewife" aprons and head scarves. The women toss their pancakes once at the beginning of the 415-yard run and once at the end.
Pre-Lenten festivals typically involve one last feast, a blowout before a season of fasting and prayer. Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday" in French, encourages people to eat, drink and be merry. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is one of the world's largest celebrations.
"Carnival" is derived from the Latin words "caro," meaning flesh, and "levare," to put aside.