【明報專訊】The Smarties are talking about how their homes look.

“ Pat: MoMo, how does your home look ? ”

“ MoMo: My house has been lavishly redecorated recently. Come and have a look! ”

“ Pat: How about yours, Bill? I heard that yours has a garden. ”

“ Bill: You wouldn't like it. It's flat as a pancake. ”

“ Pat: Pancake! I love it. I must pay a visit! ”

“ Bill: No! It's not what you think... ”

“ Bill: See... I told you... ”

■Culture tips

Pancake Day

Today is Pancake Day (also called Shrove Tuesday). It is the day before the Lent (大齋期), which is a time for fasting (禁食).This interesting festival is mainly observed among English-speaking countries like Australia, the UK and New Zealand. People celebrate by eating pancakes. It is believed that they do so because they want to use up all eggs and fat before the Lent. A pancake bell, originally designed for calling for confession, is rung at around 11am to remind people to eat pancakes.

Pancake races are also organised. Competitors have to run and keep tossing the pancake on a frying pan at the same time. In Scarborough, a town in England, skipping events on Shrove Tuesday have been a traditional fun.

■English highway﹕(as) flat as a pancake

This idiom describes something that is extremely flat and without any addition on it.

e.g. It's a perfect day for sailing because the sea is as flat as a pancake.

■Glossary

observe(v) 慶祝

use up (phr v) 用盡

confession (n) 懺悔

toss(v) 拋

[Smarties' Power English 第209期]