NOLA Traditions: In the ‘tit Rəx parade, it’s all about the schwa

Waiting for (‘tit) Rəx (Glen Abbott photos)

Note to Krewe of Rex: I don’t think anyone is likely to confuse the ‘tit Rəx Parade with yours.

Nonetheless, in what could evolve into a classic David vs. Goliath legal donnybrook, last year the mega-krewe threatened to sue the micro-krewe for trademark infringement, leading the smaller, Petit (“’tit,” get it?) Rex crew to invert the “e” in its name.

Floats are best viewed at street level

The inverted “e” symbol, known as a schwa — despite sounding like something out of Wayne’s World (or was that “schwing?”) — is used in phonetic spellings.

And Saturday’s ‘tit Rəx parade through the Bywater was all about the schwa.

‘Oh, When the Schwas Come marching In’

Members pulled shoebox-sized floats with satirical themes, passed out “schwa” (inverted e) stickers, and threw some really tiny throws.

One of the marching bands played “It’s a Small World.”

It was all great fun, a Mardi Gras parade with really small ambitions.

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the author, even if they happen to be humorous. Or not.

Get your schwa on with the photo gallery below:

Glen Abbott is a New Orleans-based freelance travel writer/photographer who is absolutely thrilled when he can use a word like “schwa” in his writing. Visit his blog at www.TravelinGringo.com.