Pancake Tuesday: What’s the history, what does ‘shrove’ mean and what’s the significance for single people?

For those unlucky in love, the first Sunday of Lent – ‘Chalk Sunday’ – was one of public humiliation

Pancakes on the Tuesday before the start of Lent. But why? Photograph: iStock
Pancakes on the Tuesday before the start of Lent. But why? Photograph: iStock