Shrove
Tuesday, which is also known as Shrovetide Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday and Pancake
Day, is the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 40-day penitential
season of Lent.
"Shrove
Tuesday" comes from the word “shrive,” meaning "confess." The term “Mardi Gras” is French
for “Fat Tuesday,” which refers to the practice of the last night of eating
richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season begins.
Back in the day, pancakes were eaten
because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and
sugar. Lenten fasting emphasizes eating
plainer food and refraining from the good stuff.
Factoid: Christians in Newfoundland mix small tokens
into the pancake batter. Children take
delight in discovering the tokens, which are supposed to predict the
future. For example, the person who
finds a coin will be wealthy; someone who finds a nail will become (or marry) a
carpenter. (Note: Presbyterians
will not be mixing anything other than food elements into our pancake
batter!)
