In the UK, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day (or Pancake Tuesday to some people) because it is the one day of the year when almost everyone eats a pancake.
In 2014 Pancake Day is on Tuesday 4 March
What happens on Pancake Day in England?
Read on to find out why we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and other facts about this special time of year.
What is Pancake Day?
Pancake Day ( also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the last day before the period which Christians call Lent. It is traditional on this day to eat pancakes. copyright of projectbritain.com
Why are Pancakes eaten on Shrove Tuesday?
Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.
When is Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)?
Shrove Tuesday is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday and is therefore the final day before the commencement of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday (Easter Day).
Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between 3 February and 9 March. (See our Lent page for a visual explanation why Shrove Tuesday is 47 days and not 41 days before Easter)
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In 2014 Pancake Day will be on 4 March
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| 2008 — 5 February 2009 — 24 February 2010 — 16 February 2011 — 8 March 2012 — 21 February |
2013 — 12 February 2014 — 4 March 2015 — 17 February 2016 — 9 February 2017 — 28 February |
Why do Christians call the day ‘Shrove Tuesday’?
The name Shrove comes from the old word «shrive» which means to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began. copyright of projectbritain.com
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it’s the last day before Lent. Throughout the United Kingdom, and in other countries too, people indulge themselves on foods that traditionally aren’t allowed during Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent. copyright of projectbritain.com
What is an English Pancake?
A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a pan.
The photograph shows a pancake
being cooked in a frying pan.
Caster sugar (superfine sugar) is sprinkled over the top and a dash of fresh lemon juice added. The pancake is then rolled. Some people add golden syrup or jam.
