The festival starts on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, known as "Schmotziger Donnerstag". In Standard German, "schmutzig" means "dirty", but in the Alemannic dialects "schmotzig" means "lard" (Schmalz), or "fat"; "Greasy Thursday", as remaining winter stores of lard and butter used to be consumed at that time, before the fasting began. Elsewhere the day is called "Women's Carnival" "(Weiberfastnacht)", being the day when tradition says that women take control. In particular regions of Tyrol, Salzburg and Bavaria traditional processions of the Perchten welcome the springtime. The "Schönperchten" (beautiful Perchts) represent the birth of new life in the awakening nature, the "Schiachperchten" ("ugly Perchts") represent the dark spirits of wintertime. Farmers yearn for warmer weather and the "Perchtenlauf" (Run of Perchts) is a magical expression of that desire. The nights between winter and spring, when evil ghosts are supposed to go around, are also called "Rauhnächte" (rough nights).