Shrove is the past tense of the verb 'shrive', which means to confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed. Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the Christian period of Lent, a time of abstinence when people give things up. Shrove Tuesday is therefore an opportunity to indulge in and use up foods which are banned during Lent, such as eggs, butter, and fat. Consequently, pancakes are normally eaten on Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is otherwise known as Pancake Day in the UK, and Mardis Gras in France (which translates into Grease or Fat Tuesday). 

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