Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as
Pancake Tuesday) is a day in February or March preceding
Ash Wednesday (the first day of
Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming
pancakes. In others, especially those (including Louisiana) where it is called
Mardi Gras or some translation thereof, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.