According to that foodie site's paczki thread (yes, they have their own thread), the Thursday before Ash Wednesday is called what Steph said upthread, which translates to "Fat Thursday." Today, Fat Tuesday according to other cultures, is called "Ostatki"--meaning the last day you can feast before Lent.

Collop Monday? What the hell is THAT?

We always called it Shrove Tuesday and had pancakes for dinner in my Irish American household.

I had 1/2 a bowl of oatmeal and one cup of coffee so far today. Which is already way more meal like than anything I had yesterday. Yesterday was gingerale, water, some saltines, and a little applesauce thanks to baby-transmitted (I'm pretty sure) stomach virus. woo. And nobody was around to fetch me the saltines and gingerale so I had to walk up to the Royal Farms and get it myself once I was steady enough on my feet. I've possibly never felt sorrier for myself.

I might could manage pancakes later if I can figure out where to get them. I'm not up for making them myself.

Collop Monday? What the hell is THAT?

That's Lundi Gras. Fat Monday, as it were.

In England, it's a nickname because they traditionally have collops with their breakfast.

Whatever the hell collops are.

Collop Monday - Shrove Monday

Named after the traditional dish of the day: collops of bacon served with eggs. In addition to providing little meat, the collops were also the source of the fat for the following day's pancakes.

I think I like the Brit tradition of Shrove Tuesday - pancakes for supper tonight, maybe.

That's what I was talking about! points upthread

So, yeah, we do the pancake for dinner thing on evey Shrove Tuesday. Not because we are particularly religious. Just because we like pancakes.

Oh, lisah. The stomach woes are of the suck. And the blow.

Damn, I have a sinus migraine. Still, they're no the ones that send me screaming to the ER or the medicine cabinet. They don't usually last long enough. Hurt like a bitch, though.

In my Irish Catholic (maternal side) family, if St. Patrick's Day falls on a Lenten Friday, we have dispensation to eat our corned beef dinner. Too bad if the Pope doesn't agree.

Collop: [link]

Collop Monday is the two days before Ash Wednesday. Slices of meat are used up, usually along with eggs for breakfast, before Lent begins.

Also known as Rose Monday, Shrove Monday, Merry Monday or Hall Monday. Hall is shortened version of "hallow", meaning "holy".

In Cornwall, England, it is called "Peasen Monday". Pea Soup is served instead.

A collop is a small piece of meat. In general, any small piece can be called a collop.

Lundi is actually Monday.

I expect if the story I posted up there is true. Mardi Gras would've come first. Dunno.

re: feast days

being a Pagan means you get to celebrate everybody's festivals in a spirit of ecumenicalism without having to go through with the sacrificial parts.