Americans left dumbfounded at 'weird' Pancake Day branding the holiday 'sad'

13 February 2024 , 09:12

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Pancake Day is firm favourite amongst Brits (Image: Getty)

Pancake Day - otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday - is here and whether you have a sweet or savoury preference, like to go all out with unusual concoctions, or keep it simple with lemon and sugar, it seems our friends across the pond do not understand, nor celebrate, the occasion like us Brits, and are baffled why we celebrate it at all.

Some may think dedicating an entire day to eating as many pancakes, with whatever topping or filling you desire, is a dream, while others are of the opinion you can eat them any day throughout the year - so what is the fuss about?One American Twitter user took the platform, which has now been coined X, and questioned: "Is Pancake Day a real thing? I thought it was just something British people did once and never again.”

Another weighed in: "Just learned British people celebrate a holiday called Pancake Day", another added: "British people are, like, weirdly into Pancake Day." While a separate tweet read: "I genuinely think it’s so sad that Americans don’t do Pancake Day.”

What’s your favourite pancake topping? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Pancake Day is not a National Day like some may assume, which is a date that has been plucked out of thin air to celebrate something just for the fun of it, as there are religious connotations behind the February date. Take a glance on the forum site Reddit and you may come to learn some people refer to Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, as "Fat Tuesday."

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A separate Reddit user commented: "Some Catholics celebrate Fat Tuesday, but Pancake Day is not really a thing in the US.” Shrove Tuesday is important in the Catholic faith as it marks the day before Lent, and the first of 40 days until Lent is over, which is usually marked on, or near, Easter.

The term "shrove" is said to derive from "shrive", which means to confess one's sins, and be forgiven. The time of fasting begins the day after Shrove Tuesday, on Ash Wednesday, before the 40-day fast begins. It has been claimed that pancakes are the food of choice because they are made using rich ingredients, including flour, eggs, milk, and fats, and a symbol of luxury and a treat before going without for the following weeks until April.

However, the reason why people flip pancakes on Pancake Day does not hold deep religious meaning or biblical connotations. Instead it is believed a woman was mid-way through flipping pancakes when she was rushed to make her confession in church.

Maisie Bovingdon