Let’s Toss Some Pancakes
Shrove Tuesday is the day known as Pancake day in February or March and it is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day traditionally, as Lent is a time of giving things up, so Shrove Tuesday is the last day to pig out on banned foods in Lent, ie fat, butter and eggs. So let’s go for it !!
These are the basic pancakes, which are served with lemon or oranges to be squeezed over them.
These look delicious!
Women are so much better at it.!!
The date is determined by when Easter falls, and the expression comes from the word shrive or to absolve. It is observed by many faiths and is called different things in different countries.
In the UK, Ireland and Australia, it is called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake day or Pancake Tuesday.
In Greece, it is called Apocreas and translated means "from meat” since they abstain from meat during Lent.
In Sweden, it is known as Fettisdage Fat Tuesday (which is what you will get if you eat too many of them!!).
In the USA, it is called Mardi Gras. (Catholic and French speaking areas)
In Germany, its is called Fastnacht.
In France, it is called Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
In Iceland, it is called Sprengidaur (Bursting day).
In Brazil, Terca-feira gorda (Fat Tuesday again), the final day of the Carnival. The word carnival stems from “carnelevamen” an medieval Latin word meaning “the putting away of flesh” in other words, the giving up of eating meat for Lent.
In Spain, it is called “dia de la tortilla” or “omelette day”.
This year, it falls on Tuesday 25th February.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and varies each year depending on the date of Easter, it can be anywhere from 4th February to the 10th March and is always six and a half weeks prior to Easter.
Ash Wednesday is so called as ashes are a symbol of being sorry for wrong doings and a reminder that we will return to ashes. In the Christian faith, the marking of the forehead with ash makes the commitment to Christ and to show him they were sorry for their sins in the last year. Today, many attend a religious service and the ashes are blessed by the church leader and placed on their forehead. They believe this marks the physical and spiritual beginning of the Lent season and 40 days of repentance.
Lent does sound a bit grim but take heart it will soon be Easter with all the Easter eggs you can eat.
Let’s have your ideas on pancakes, what you have with them, sweet or savoury, and what you intend giving up for Lent !!
All are welcome. And please feel free to recommend and share all discussions you enjoy.
There is no obligation to follow any of our informal themes. They are simply for fun. This is an open topic chat thread, so please just post or talk about anything you like!
