Americans are realising why Brits celebrate Pancake Day – and they’re baffled
For us Brits, Pancake Day is one of the most anticipated times of the year.
The day of the pancake – whether it’s sweet, savoury or dripping with sugar and lemon – is celebrated by thousands.
Technically we can eat pancakes any day of the year, but for some reason Shrove Tuesday makes them extra special.
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But, for Americans, they don’t seem to be as into it and some aren’t sure as to what it is.
Confused people across the pond have been saying they’re totally confused by the flipping great concept.
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Posting on Twitter, one US resident said: “Is Pancake Day a real thing?
“I thought it was just something British people did once and never again.”
Another wrote: “Just learned British people celebrate a holiday called Pancake Day.”
Meanwhile, a third added: “Genuinely think it’s so sad that Americans don’t do Pancake Day.”
Even though some people knew the occasion was celebrated, they just couldn’t get over how all out some Brits actually go.
One person suggested the nation is “weirdly” into Pancake Day, while others said they didn’t realise just how much we cared about it.
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There was even a thread on Reddit dedicated to the topic, where one person said: “Some Catholics celebrate Fat Tuesday, but Pancake Day is not really a thing in the US.”
Another added: “We do [have Pancake Day], but it’s not really celebrated outside pancake restaurants. It’s like all the other holidays dedicated to a banal food item.”
For the ones who need a lesson on why the day is so great – Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday is the day before Lent – and it marks the 40 days which lead to Easter.
The word shrove comes from shrive, and refers to the confession of sins, so it’s basically a time for admitting all your wrongs and stuffing your face silly.
We opt for pancakes to mark the occasion because it was seen as a useful way to use up eggs and fats before opting to fast before Lent.
It doesn’t fall on the same date each year, but it usually takes place between early February and early March.
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