What is Pancake Day?
Pancake Day, also called Shrove Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. In England, people traditionally eat pancakes, often thin and served with lemon juice and sugar.
Lent is a period of fasting in the Christian calendar before Easter. Historically, people used up rich foods such as eggs, milk and butter before Lent began, and pancakes were an easy way to do this.
The name Shrove comes from shrive, meaning to confess sins. People went to church to be shriven before Lent.
Pancake races
Pancake races are held in many towns. Participants run while tossing a pancake in a frying pan. The most famous race takes place in Olney, Buckinghamshire, and is said to date back to 1445.
English pancakes are thin, similar to French crepes, rather than thick American pancakes. Lemon and sugar is the classic topping, though chocolate spread, syrup and fruit are also popular.
Pancake Day falls on a different date each year, between early February and early March, because Easter is a movable feast. In some countries it is known as Mardi Gras.