If you're new to the Gulf Coast or just need a refresher, here is some Mardi Gras jargon defined so you are ready to "laissez les bon temps rouler."

Float bam: Secret location where Mardi Gras organizations build and keep their floats when it's not parading season.

Throws: Items thrown from parade floats, such as doubloons, moon pies, beads, cups and stuffed animals.

Moon Pies: Marshmallow cake, usually chocolate, banana or orange flavored. Newer flavors of coconut, vanilla, mint, peanut butter and salted caramel have recently been added. Grammar note: It's Moon Pie when referencing the specific brand, which is the standard throw. Lowercase moon pies when talking generally.

"Laissez les bon temps rouler": French for "Let the good times roll."

King cake: Usually oval and braided, this cake is iced with traditional Mardi Gras colors. A tiny, plastic baby doll is hidden inside, and according to custom, whoever finds the baby in their piece of cake buys the next king cake or throws the next party.

Krewe: Mardi Gras societies often refer to themselves collectively as a krewe, and often the term is part of the society's official name.

Ball: A celebration, usually after a parade, involving food, beverages, callouts and dancing. Some organizations don't parade and just have a ball. Tickets are sold to some balls, while many require invitations from a society member.