ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Shrove Monday

Shrove Monday is a special day that happens every year before a big holiday called Lent. Lent is a time when people around the world give up things they really like, usually food or treats, for 40 days. So, Shrove Monday is a day where people eat lots of yummy food and have fun before Lent starts.

Shrove Monday goes by a few different names in different places, such as "Rose Monday" in Germany, "Lundi Gras" in Louisiana, and "Pancake Day" in England. But no matter what it's called, people usually celebrate it by having a big feast with lots of different foods. In some places, they even have parades where people dress up in costumes and throw confetti and candy!

One of the most popular foods on Shrove Monday is pancakes. This is where the name "Pancake Day" comes from. Pancakes are made with flour, eggs, and milk, and then cooked in a pan until they're nice and fluffy. People like to put all sorts of toppings on their pancakes, like syrup, whipped cream, and fruit.

So, in summary, Shrove Monday is a fun day where people eat lots of delicious food and enjoy themselves before the sad and serious time of Lent starts. It's a special day where people can have fun and be silly before taking on a big challenge of giving up something they enjoy for a long time.