For a considerable length of time, Britons have observed Pancake Day, which is otherwise called Shrove Tuesday. Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday got its name from the Christian custom to be “shriven”, to acquire pardon for one’s wrongdoings through confession and atonement before the begin of Lent. The making of pancakes or flapjacks is often associated with Shrove Tuesday as it is a method of spending indulgent foods just before the Lent season. Eggs, milk and sugar aren’t generally consumed during fasting season, thus, consumed the day before.
Besides making and eating flapjacks, there is an annual pancake race being held. The idea is to get to the finish line while carrying a skillet with a pancake in it, flipping it without the pancake dropping. In Westminster, there is a yearly parliamentary pancake race being held to raise funds for disability charity rehab. In the mean time, the Guinness World Record for the tallest stack of hotcakes was toppled after Chef James Haywood heaped 213 pieces of flapjack. The making of the tallest stack of hotcakes occurred at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham and required four individuals to help cook and assemble it.
Vocabulary:
atonement [noun] – reparation for a wrong or injury
flapjacks [noun] – pancakes
stack [noun] – a pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged
topple [verb] – to fall forward or overthrow
heap [verb] – put objects in a pile or mound
True or False:
- For centuries, Britons have celebrated Pancake Day, which is also known as Shrove Tuesday.
- Pancakes are often connected with Ash Wednesday as it is a sort of all-in-one way of using up some fatty foods during the Lent season.
- There is a pancake race held in the UK every quarter.
- In Westminster, an annual parliamentary flapjack race is held to raise money for disability charity Rehab.
- Chef James Haywood piled 513 pieces of pancake which is now the largest stack of pancakes according to Guinness World of Records.
Express your opinion:
- What is a traditional breakfast in your country?
- Do you prefer to skip breakfast or have it on the go?
- Have you tried fasting before? Why or why not?
- What is your impression of a pancake race?
- In your opinion, what is the relevance of setting world records?
Defend your argument:
- “There is hardship in everything except eating pancakes.” -Charles H. Spurgeon
- “There are two sides to every pancake.” -Anonymous
- “Periodic fasting can help clear up the mind and strengthen the body and the spirit.” – Ezra Taft Benson