Pancake: meaning, definitions and examples

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pancake

[ˈpankeɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

breakfast food

A pancake is a flat cake made from a batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. It is usually round in shape and can be served with toppings such as syrup, fruits, or whipped cream.

Synonyms

flapjack, griddlecake, hotcake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pancake	A common term used universally for a flat, round cake cooked on a griddle or frying pan. It can be sweet or savory, often served with syrup, fruits, or other toppings. She made pancakes for breakfast and served them with blueberries and maple syrup.
flapjack	Primarily used in the United States and Canada, it's an informal term for pancake. In the UK, flapjack refers to a different sweet treat made from oats. After a long hike, they enjoyed a stack of flapjacks with butter and honey.
hotcake	A term interchangeably used with pancake, often heard in diners or commercial settings. It can imply that the pancakes are served hot and fresh. The diner is famous for its mouth-watering hotcakes served all day.
griddlecake	A slightly more old-fashioned or regional term for pancake, often evoking a rustic or traditional feel. It emphasizes the cooking method on a griddle. Grandma always made delicious griddlecakes on Sunday mornings.

Examples of usage

I love to eat pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast.
She flipped the pancake over to cook the other side.
We usually have pancakes on Sunday mornings.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal use

In informal usage, a pancake can refer to something flat or round, resembling the shape of a pancake.

Synonyms

disk, flat, round.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pancake	A thin, flat, round cake typically served for breakfast and made from a batter that is fried on both sides. She made blueberry pancakes for breakfast Let's have pancakes with syrup and butter
flat	Something level or smooth with no bumps or curves. Can describe surfaces, objects, or even affect (emotion). The table has a flat surface Her voice was flat and unemotional
round	A shape that is circular or spherical. Can describe objects that are not flat or angular. They sat at a round table The earth is round
disk	A flat, circular object that can be used in various contexts such as technology (a computer disk) or physical objects (a disk of metal or plastic). The software is stored on a disk He threw the disk during the frisbee game

Examples of usage

The car ran over a pancake of a tire on the road.
The company's profits took a pancake-like dip this quarter.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

slang

In slang, a pancake can refer to a person who is flat-chested or has a small bust.

Synonyms

flat-chested, small-busted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pancake	Pancake refers to a flat, round breakfast food made from batter and cooked on a griddle or frying pan. It is commonly used in culinary contexts. She made delicious pancakes for breakfast. He likes to top his pancakes with maple syrup.
flat-chested	Flat-chested describes someone (usually a woman) who has a small bust or breasts. It can have a negative connotation when used to describe someone in a judgmental or critical manner. She felt self-conscious because she was flat-chested. The character in the story was described as flat-chested.
small-busted	Small-busted is a more neutral term to describe someone with a smaller chest size. It is often used in a descriptive manner without negative implications. She prefers clothes that suit small-busted women. Many small-busted women find it comfortable to wear certain types of bras.

Word

Description / Examples

pancake

Pancake refers to a flat, round breakfast food made from batter and cooked on a griddle or frying pan. It is commonly used in culinary contexts.

She made delicious pancakes for breakfast.
He likes to top his pancakes with maple syrup.

flat-chested

Flat-chested describes someone (usually a woman) who has a small bust or breasts. It can have a negative connotation when used to describe someone in a judgmental or critical manner.

She felt self-conscious because she was flat-chested.
The character in the story was described as flat-chested.

small-busted

Small-busted is a more neutral term to describe someone with a smaller chest size. It is often used in a descriptive manner without negative implications.

She prefers clothes that suit small-busted women.
Many small-busted women find it comfortable to wear certain types of bras.

Examples of usage

She joked that she was part of the pancake club.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The earliest known pancakes date back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were made with wheat flour and olive oil.
In Medieval Europe, pancakes were often a symbol of strength, and were eaten before fasting periods like Lent.
A traditional British pancake differs from American-style, being thinner and often enjoyed with lemon and sugar.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, pancakes are associated with celebrations, like Shrove Tuesday in Christianity, when people use up rich ingredients before Lent.
Skyros, a Greek island, holds an annual pancake-eating contest to celebrate their heritage.
In Japan, savory pancakes called 'okonomiyaki' are popular, containing various fillings like meat, seafood, and vegetables.

Scientific Aspect

The cooking process of pancakes involves the Maillard reaction, which is what gives them their brown color and delicious flavor.
Baking powder in the batter creates bubbles, making the pancake light and fluffy as it cooks.
Flipping pancakes at the right moment is crucial; waiting too long results in burning, while flipping too early keeps them raw inside.

Pop Culture

Pancakes often appear in cartoons and movies, symbolizing comfort food or a quick breakfast.
In the video game 'Minecraft', players can create pancakes, showcasing the food's fun side in modern gaming.
Pancake Day is celebrated in the UK with races involving running while flipping pancakes, adding a playful twist to the tradition.

Nutrition

Pancakes can be made healthy by using whole grain flour and adding fruits or nuts for extra nutrients.
In the U.S., pancakes are often served with syrup, which can increase sugar content, prompting a push for alternatives like fresh fruit.
Some cultures prepare pancakes without added sugars, focusing on savory versions, promoting a balanced meal approach.

Translations

Translations of the word "pancake" in other languages:

🇵🇹 panqueca

🇮🇳 पैनकेक

🇩🇪 Pfannkuchen

🇮🇩 pancake

🇺🇦 млинець

🇵🇱 naleśnik

🇯🇵 パンケーキ

🇫🇷 crêpe

🇪🇸 panqueque

🇹🇷 pankek

🇰🇷 팬케이크

🇸🇦 فطيرة

🇨🇿 palačinka

🇸🇰 palacinka

🇨🇳 煎饼

🇸🇮 palačinka

🇮🇸 pönnukaka

🇰🇿 құймақ

🇬🇪 ბლინი

🇦🇿 blin

🇲🇽 hotcake