Pancakes were so-called for a reason. They are cakes and they are cooked in pans. It doesn’t follow that they are so-called for a reason. Or, rather, if it follows, it does so only because they are called “pancakes” for the reason that they were called “pancakes” and they were called “pancakes” for a reason. So, even though they are now cakes that are cooked in pans, it doesn’t follow that they are now called “pancakes” for that reason.
Compare here the following. Dartmouth was so-called because it was at the mouth of the river Dart. But if the river Dart had changed its course over time so that Dartmouth was no longer at its mouth, the town could nonetheless have retained its name. In that case, it would be true that Dartmouth was so-called for the reason that it was at the mouth of the Dart, but it would be false that it is so-called because it is at the mouth of the Dart. So, even if it is now true that Dartmouth is at the mouth of the Dart, it doesn’t follow that it is so-called for that reason. Similarly, it doesn’t follow from the fact that pancakes were once so called because they were cakes cooked in pans, and the fact that pancakes are cooked in pans, that they are so-called because they are cooked in pans.
What follows from all that? One thing that follows is that one can’t now work out what pancakes are from the fact that they are called “pancakes”. A natural question to ask, then, is whether one could once tell what they were on the basis of what they were called. Specifically, could one tell what they were from what they were called when they were called “pancakes” because they were then cakes cooked in pans? Plausibly, one couldn’t. For all one could tell then, “pancakes” derived not from a combination of an expression for pans and an expression for cakes, but rather in some other way. For example, for all one could tell then, “pancakes” may have derived from the name of their inventor, Pancake. Pancake was so-named by her parents because they liked the way the name sounded; it was but a happy coincidence that she invented a cake made in pans.
Perhaps, however, one could then have been in a position to know what pancakes were on the basis of (i) knowing that they were called “pancakes,” and (ii) knowing that their name was a combination of an expression for pans and an expression for cakes. On that basis, one could at least figure out that they had something to do with pans and cakes. Would that be enough? Plausibly, it would not be enough. For all one could tell just on that basis, the things called “pancakes” might have been any of the following:
Cakes stored in pans.
Cakes stored with pans.
Cakes shaped to fit into pans.
Cakes shaped like pans.
Cakes used to clean pans.
Cakes made to celebrate pans. (Suppose, for example, that people celebrated the anniversaries of their purchases of especially fine pans.)
Cakes made of pans. (Suppose, for example, that some pans were made of a material that was edible by us, or that there were creatures that ate metal pans.)
Cakes made for wild pans to eat. (Suppose, for example, that some pans were alive.)
So, it’s plausible that no one has ever been in a position to tell what pancakes are just from their knowledge of what pancakes are called, even if their knowledge also encompassed the fact that “pancake” is a combination of an expression for pans and an expression for cakes. Nonetheless, pancakes were once so-called because they were cakes cooked in pans. It seems to follow that knowing that fact about pancakes, or “pancakes,” is different from knowing what pancakes are called, that their name is a combination of expressions for pans and cakes, and that pancakes are cakes cooked in pans.
FAQs
The term "pancake" likely originates from the way the dish is prepared. The word "cake" refers to a baked or cooked item, and "pan" indicates that it's cooked in a pan. Combining the two, "pancake" describes a flat, round cake cooked in a pan.
Is a pancake considered a cake? ›
A pancake (or hotcake, griddlecake, or flapjack) is a flat cake, often thin and round, prepared from a starch-based batter that may contain eggs, milk and butter, and then cooked on a hot surface such as a griddle or frying pan.
Are pancakes made in pans? ›
You have a broad array of acceptable options, the first of which is a cast iron skillet. While they can still be sticky if left untreated, you can season the pan with a thin layer of cooking oil, which will create a hardy, non-stick layer over the top of the cast iron surface that you can utilize repeatedly.
Why is my cake like a pancake? ›
“Why is my cake as flat as a pancake?” If you end up with a flat cake, there are a few possible causes. Overbeating the flour will overwork its gluten, so fold in dry ingredients with a light hand.
What were pancakes originally called? ›
People began using the word “pancake” during the 15th century, and the word became standard in 19th century America. Previously, people referred to them as Indian cakes, hoe cakes, johnnycakes, journey cakes, buckwheat cakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks. Early American pancakes were made with buckwheat or cornmeal.
What does McDonald's call pancakes? ›
580 Cal.580 Cal. If you love hot pancakes, you've got to try McDonald's Hotcakes with a side of real butter and sweet maple flavored Hotcake syrup.
What does calling a girl pancake mean? ›
« Flat as a pancake » is sometimes used to refer to a woman with very small breasts.
What's the difference between a pancake and a hotcake? ›
What is a Hotcake? It's a pancake. Our crew Googled it and the definition of a hotcake is in fact “a pancake.” There is, however, a subtle difference on how you prepare a hotcake versus a pancake. Generally, pancakes are wide and have a fluffy texture, whereas the hotcakes tend to be thicker and denser.
Why were pancakes invented? ›
“One of the great points about leavened pancakes and all the tribe of griddle cakes,” wrote Elizabeth David in the 1977 compendium English Bread and Yeast Cookery, “was that they provided a means of using [cheaper] meals and flours such as barley, buckwheat, oatmeal, which were not suitable for bread proper.” Part of ...
What is the best pan to cook pancakes in? ›
Cast iron's ability to retain heat makes it an ideal choice for pancakes. And cooking pancakes on cast iron gives them an incredible texture and golden brown color. However, it's essential to give your cast iron enough time to heat up thoroughly, so that the entire surface of the pan is evenly heated.
A good, multipurpose non-stick frying pan will generally do the job when it comes to pancake making, however the non-stick element is really important. The pancake pans that passed our test all have great non-stick credentials, but also have a flat, shallow design with a small lip to help flip the pancake.
Are pancakes healthy? ›
Despite their tasty profile, these comfort foods are often made with refined white flour and topped with butter and syrup, which is essentially pure sugar. This means that pancakes and waffles are high in calories, fat, and sugar, yet lacking in protein and fiber.
Can you eat a cake that has sunk in the middle? ›
If your cake was cooked to the proper temperature, chances are it is still edible even if it sunk in the center. Check that it's baked through the middle, then try a small piece of your cake. It might not taste good if the ingredient measurements were off. Notice the texture to make sure it's not too dense or spongy.
Why is my cake like jelly? ›
This could be because the cake mixture didn't have enough air beaten into it or perhaps eggs were added too quickly and curdled. Another reason could be that there wasn't enough raising agent.
Why is my cake jiggly in the middle? ›
A wobbly or firm middle that doesn't bounce back is a sign that the cake needs more baking time. When you insert a thin skewer in the cake, it should come out clean (or with a few dry crumbs).
Why are they called hotcakes and not pancakes? ›
There is no difference. We just prefer to call them 'hotcakes' instead of 'pancakes. ' Still round, fluffy and topped with real butter.
Why do Americans call pancakes hotcakes? ›
Why do some fast food places call pancakes "hot cakes"? Hotcakes are made on a hot griddle and are best eaten while they are hot. Flapjacks is another name in some regions of the U.S. used to describe pancakes.
Is there a difference between hotcakes and pancakes? ›
What is a Hotcake? It's a pancake. Our crew Googled it and the definition of a hotcake is in fact “a pancake.” There is, however, a subtle difference on how you prepare a hotcake versus a pancake. Generally, pancakes are wide and have a fluffy texture, whereas the hotcakes tend to be thicker and denser.
Why is the first pancake a throw away? ›
The first pancake is in effect the trial run, working out the kinks before all the variables of even heat and pan seasoning come together. While that first pancake cooks the pan comes to temperature, and it absorbs just enough of the fat on the cooking surface so that second one will cook more evenly.
