Fat Tuesday: Tossing pancakes instead of beads

The Tuesday before the Lenten season...

In the United States we kick the off Mardi Gras with parades and partial-female nudity.  In Spain they celebrate Carnaval with group cross-dressing and drinking on every street corner.

And how do they celebrate Fat Tuesday in the United Kingdom?

Ready? Brace yourself....

The British celebrate by making pancakes.

A bit anti-climatic, isn't it?  But that's how the blokes observe the holiday.  They prepare and serve pancakes (not thick, American IHOP pancakes, but thin crepes, rolled up with a filling).  And why do they toss pancakes instead of Mardi Gras beads?  According to Wikipedia, Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, originated when the English wanted to use up food products typically give up during Lent--eggs, milk, and sugar.  As a result, pancakes were produced.  (It does seem more practical than exploiting oneself for shiny, cheap plastic.)

A few weeks ago Ellie and Craig (two Brits) were telling me about the traditions of Pancake Day.  So last week we decided to throw a Pancake Day fiesta.  We ended up with three Brits, two Americans, a French girl, and dozens of pancakes.

And if you think that Pancake Day festivities seems a little bland compared to those of Mardi Gras and Carnaval, you are sorely mistaken.  Fixing, frying, and flipping pancakes can be just as--if not, more--amusing.  See the video below for proof.

Happy Pancake Day.