No weirder that Mardi Gras. Basically, Pancake Day, like Mardi Gras, is a way to celebrate before you start Lent.

Pancakes were baked to consume Eggs and Milk, which could not be consumed during Lent. It's actually a quite old tradition, having even been referenced in the 16th century. But I guess it's lesser known in the US, since (a) Refrigeration removed that need and ( not all Christian demoninations celebrate Lent.

Mardi Gras is the French word for "Fat Tuesday". Thanks to New Orleans, people now don't remember the religeous signifigance and instead instead think of it as some kinda big orgy with beads or some such rot.

Buy some gourmet platters of mini pancakes and mixed berries from me today!

Australians are just British folks on a bigger island.

Just kidding!

Seriously though... I love pancakes. I'd never heard of Pancake Day before. I like Mardi Gras better though. You can have pancakes anyday (24 hours a day at IHOP! ) But Mardi Gras is a party!

What's a Mournday Thursday though?

Psh, in the Australia Day thread you people said you voted to actually stay British instead of being independent.

EDIT: Oh, and so us Americans don't feel left out, happy Presidents' Day tomorrow!

Pah, hardly, I don't even get out of class tomorrow

your on crack shiri just admit it.

I don't really know, I don't think you do anything special on it.

I demand a Waffle Day. Mmmmm....Waffles

IHOP celebrates it, so in theory, America knows about it.

SEE CLICK HERE! Right side of the webpage

And all I have to do is show up? But I have to drive.. such a hard decision.

I'd imagine you have to buy another meal or something. I doubt they'll just let anyone walk in, ask for free pancakes, and leave.

That would be awesome if they did though.

They ask for donations to a charity while you're there. Sounds like it's optional, though.

Well, you can't eat just pancakes! Unless they're really really good and... now I have to go there.

I'd probably order something else anyway just to fill up.

And they do say it's just a free short stack. Not like you can eat free pancakes all day long.

Ooh...All you can eat pancakes! I did that once. I ate 12 pancakes. Took my time with it too. *G* Took a book.

Mmm has this something to do with Carnival? I don't get the hang to yearly holidays until past easter, and that because I don't work in Easter.
Pancakes taste good, though. I'll start celebrating this!

I checked our church bullietin this Sunday, and they listed yesterday as Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day. They also had a pancake dinner, so, apparently we know it here too.

And yeah, it's eating all the stuff that you couldn't eat before lent, which is why it's also known as Fat Tuesday.

Shayle says:
omg
Shayle says:
OMG
Shayle says:
guess WHAT
Shiri says:
...what
Shayle says:
so I'm listening to the radio
Shiri says:
Ok...
Shayle says:
was earlier this week
Shayle says:
Tuesday
Shiri says:
-_o
Shayle says:
this is some holy week
Shayle says:
err
Shiri says:
Damn hiccoughs
Shiri says:
Lent?
Shayle says:
or was something
Shayle says:
yeah
Shiri says:
You didn't know about that?
Shiri says:
Damn even IXION knew about that
Shayle says:
but Tuesday was ALSO
Shiri says:
PANCAKE DAY!
Shiri says:
Wait
Shayle says:
NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY
Shiri says:
Was it? Hmm
Shiri says:
Yours is like a week early
Shiri says:
I think
Shiri says:
But at least it EXISTS

Pffft--it has nothing to do with lent!