The old name given to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, because on that day every one was accustomed to go to the Priest before beginning the observance of Lent, to be shrived, shriven, shrove, i.e., to confess and be absolved. Certain social customs have been popularly connected with this day, making it a day of merriment and sports and dining on pancakes or fritters. The practice of eating pancakes on this day still survives in many places, and hence it is also called Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day.