Ellie Abraham
Feb 13, 2024
As every British person will know, today is Pancake Day – a fact that seems to have surprised our American friends across the pond.
In a religious sense, Shrove Tuesday marks the final day before Lent, which is traditionally a period of abstinence and is seen as a day to use up fat, eggs and sugar.
Obviously, pancakes can be enjoyed any day of the year, but it’s British tradition to have them on this particular day and Americans are very confused.
On Twitter, many pointed out that there is a British celebration called Pancake Day, with some unconvinced
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One person wrote: “Is pancake day a real thing? i thought it was just something British people did once and never again.”
Another said: “Logged into my team call with my British colleagues this morning and they wished each other happy pancake day? Apparently that’s a thing.”
\u201cLogged into my team call with my British colleagues this morning and they wished each other happy pancake day? Apparently that\u2019s a thing \ud83e\udd23\u201d— rebekah (@rebekah) 1676975599
Someone else mocked: “Happy pancake day brits I guess you didn’t rlly have an independence day to celebrate so you have this.”
\u201cHappy pancake day brits I guess you didn\u2019t rlly have an independence day to celebrate so you have this\u201d— Ferkkobun (@Ferkkobun) 1676980019
One Twitter user even joked that Americans should take Pancake Day from the Brits by force saying we “don’t deserve it”.
They wrote: “Imagine having a whole holiday devoted to THESE. In fact, we should take Pancake Day from them, same way we did the North American colonies. They don’t deserve it.”
\u201cImagine having a whole holiday devoted to THESE. In fact, we should take Pancake Day from them, same way we did the North American colonies. They don\u2019t deserve it.\u201d— Jennifer de Guzman Strikes Again (@Jennifer de Guzman Strikes Again) 1676954090
From an outsider’s perspective it might be an odd celebration, but any excuse to eat delicious food in the name of tradition is extremely welcome.
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