THE “pancake race” is part of the traditional English observance of Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday).

Read more about this and other customs in the season before Lent at Tradition in Action:

“So integral is the pancake in the English Carnival celebrations that they hold pancake races on this day. According to legend, in 1445 a housewife was baking pancakes in her kitchen when she heard the shriving bell ring. She was in such a hurry that she ran out of the door and into the streets with her frying pan.

“This inspired pancake races all over England, but especially in Olney where the women of the village gather to have a race where they run to the finishing line flipping the pancakes at least three times.”

This day should be a day of wholesome fun. Happy Shrove Tuesday!

By the way, the day gets its name from the ancient English custom of seeking confession, or shriving, from the priest before Lent. After confession of sins, the obligation for meatless meals began — thus the tradition of pancakes on this day. “Collup Monday” (the day before) included the custom of eating bacon (that’s because fresh strips or “collups” of pork were set to cure until the season was over) and was the last day meat was eaten until Easter.

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