Learn English Vocabulary Words connected with Shrove Tuesday

Learn English Vocabulary Words connected with Shrove Tuesday Pancake Tuesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday in the UK. Pancake (Shrove) Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent (40 days leading up to Easter). The name ‘Shrove’ derives from  old English word ‘shrive’ which means ‘confess all sins’. Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, for this reason people went to confessions on the day before. This day eventually became referred to as ‘Shriven Tuesday’ and later on ‘Shrove Tuesday’.Here are some  common English expressions and words connected with that period. Pancake Tuesday is the more modern term for the day that the Christians commonly refer to as Shrove Tuesday.  It is the day when Christians start  their preparation  for the period of Lent (usually give up or stop doing something they like as a form of penance).  Pancake Tuesday originates from an ancient English tradition of using up most of the fattening ingredients at home before Lent. Pancakes are made from simple products, flour water and eggs. An easy recipe to get rid of  all these stocks was to mix all of them with a bit of flour to make pancakes. They are flat and made on a pan. It was to signify  the last of the dairy products that would be eaten before Easter. The tradition has been handed down  from generation to generation. The making of pancakes is simple and those with enough skill will flip  the pancake from the pan and catch it before it falls. This flipping or tossing the pancakes is not only fun but also ensures the pancakes are cooked evenly on both sides.The panc akes are eaten plain often (in my home) with a sprinkling  of sugar and a squeeze  of lemon juice. Don’t keep this to yourself. Tell the world. In many towns the old tradition was to hold pancake races. The chef (cook) would gather in the town square and race along the street constantly tossing and flipping their pancakes.Overseas  Shrove Tuesday is known as ‘Mardi Gras’, which means ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French and it also originates from the idea of using up  all the stocks before Lent.A lot of countries around the world have Mardi Gras festivities  and also carnivals. Some of the most well-known are in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Venice in Italy.The day after Pancake Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) is referred to as Ash Wednesday  the beginning of lent. Incidentally  the Americans refer to Shrove Tuesday as Mardi Gras. When I was a young boy we were encouraged to give up  for the 40 days of lent. This was often sweet things like cakes biscuits and sweets. A real tragedy (problem) for a young kid. Some people still stick to  this ritual. The exact date of Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday varies  from year to year as it is alw ays 47 days before Easter Sunday and as that feast varies then so do the dates of these 2 days. So it’s a moveable feast in every way.We have an expression in English a moveable feast. This refers to something that is not certain or the date is not fixed.For example: Is your friend getting married soon? I am not sure it’s a bit of a moveable feast.They do not seem to be able to make their minds up on the right day.The beginning of lent also signifies to me that winter is coming to an end and spring is not so far away. Here’s hoping! Online English Course Learn over 40 English Phrasal Verbs and English Idioms in context for FREE ENROL IN COURSE NOW FREE Learn New Vocabulary Words and Phrases to derive from   to come from, to originate fromto fast   to stop taking certain food or drink for a period of timeto get rid of   to dispose ofto toss   to tumble, to move back and forthoverseas   abroadto use up   to empty, to reducefestivities   celebrationto start preparation   to get readyto signify   to acknowledgeto hand down   to pass onto flip   to turn over by throwing it up in the airsprinkling   light dustingsqueeze (noun) small dropincidentally   as it happensto give up   to sacrifice somethingto stick to something   to follow somethingto vary   to change