#PancakeDay #ShroveTuesday #Lent #AshWednesday #WhatTheHeckDoesItAllMean

Ok, here we go: "As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their Lenten sacrifice for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Many Christian congregations thus observe the day through eating pancakes or, more specifically, the holding of pancake breakfasts, as well as the ringing of church bells to remind people to repent of their sins before the start of Lent."

So, all of you who stuffed yourself with pancakes yesterday, I'm expecting to see some penitent fasting over the next forty days, ok?