The origin of the name Shrove lies in the archaic English verb "to shrive" which means to absolve people of their sins. It was common in the Middle Ages for "shriveners" (priests) to hear people's confessions at this time, to prepare them for Lent.
In Ireland Shrove Tuesday is known as "Pancake Tuesday", while in Britain it is popularly known as "Pancake Day". In Ireland the traditional pancake is a very thin one (very like a French crepe) which is served immediately sprinkled with caster sugar and a dash of fresh lemon juice.
In Sweden Shrove Tuesday, is just as in France known as "Fat Tuesday", or Fettisdagen in Swedish. The day is marked by eating traditional Swedish pastry, called Semla. Supposedly, the pastry is only to be eaten on this day but it is seasonally availiable from New Year until the beginning of Lent.
In Poland, and also in areas of the United States with large Polish populations, pączki; are a common find.
The practice of eating pancakes and pastry began when Christians in the Middle Ages had to abstain from all animal products during the forty days of Lent which necessitated the consumption of all eggs and milk no later than Shrove Tuesday. A famous pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire has been held since 1445.
