Etymology[edit]
The Latin-derived name of the holiday is sometimes also spelled Carnaval, typically in areas where French, Spanish, and Portuguese are spoken, or Carnevale in Italian-speaking contexts. Alternate names are used for regional and local celebrations.
The origin may be from the Italian word "carne" (meat) or "carrus" (car). The former suggests an origin within Christianity, while the alternative links to earlier religions.
Folk etymologies[7] state that the word comes from the Late Latin expression carne vale, which means "farewell to meat", signifying the approaching fast. The word carne may also be translated as flesh, producing "a farewell to the flesh", a phrase embraced by certain Carnival celebrants to embolden the festival's carefree spirit. However, this interpretation is not supported by philological evidence.[7]
The Italian carne levare is one possible origin, meaning "to remove meat", since meat is prohibited during Lent.[7]