Decoded: Bonnaroo

Chances are you're going to hear the word "Bonnaroo" at some point this weekend. Or maybe you've already heard it. Regardless, it's something you should know about, as it has become a tentpole event of the summer for young people around the country and for the music industry in general.

Bonnaroo is short for "Bonnaroo Muisc and Arts Festival," a four-day event that is currently happening in Manchester, TN, featuring live music, art exhibitions, food and drink, and more. Attendees — of which, last year, there were almost 90,000 — camp out in tents, RVs, and cars right outside the grounds in an area called Tent City.

The event's main attractions are its musical performers that play at a multitude of stages of varying sizes scattered throughout the enclosed Bonnaroo site. This year's headlining acts include Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Billy Joel, and Deadmau5, among others.

Though Bonnaroo only started in 2002, the origins of its name go back to 1974, when legendary New Orleans musician Dr. John released his album Desitively Bonnaroo. In essence, "Bonnaroo" means "a really good time," originating as a Cajun slang term with roots in French. And so, both as an homage to New Orleans' iconic music scene and for the word's literal meaning, the festival's founders chose "Bonnaroo" as the event's name.

So, if you continually happen upon tweets, videos, and colorful Instagram photos this weekend alluding to Bonnaroo (which you likely will), now you'll know what people are talking about. And, hey, maybe you'll want to buy a ticket to next year's festival!