The day before the beginning of Lent, when pancakes are traditionally eaten, originally to use up milk and eggs that would otherwise spoil because of not being eaten during Lent
last day before Lent, last day of Shrovetide (British and Canadians make pancakes on this day)
Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. People traditionally eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. = Pancake Day. The day before Ash Wednesday. the day before the first day of the Christian period of Lent, when people in Britain traditionally eat pancake s (Shrove from shrive (of a Christian priest) (11-21 centuries), from scrifan; SHRIFT)