There are a number of names in the West for the last day before the long fast of Lent. The French call it Mardi Gras (meaning “Fat Tuesday”), because it was traditionally a time to use up all the milk, butter, and eggs left in the kitchen. These ingredients often went into pancakes, which is why the English call it Pancake Day. The name “Shrove Tuesday” is derived from the Christian custom of confessing sins and being “shriven” (i.e., absolved) just before Lent. No matter what its name, the day before Ash Wednesday has long been a time for excessive eating and merrymaking. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary