18th Century Pancakes Were Weird and Slightly Racist

The unfortunate true statement of peer into our collective yesteryear is that finally , something intolerant lift its headspring . For example , this pancake formula find and manipulate by18th century cooking aficionadoJonathan Townsend does n’t call the griddle treats pancakes at all — they’re “ Indian slapjacks . ”

Their mistily racist name is derived from the presence of one of the ingredient that makes them distinct from traditional pancakes : corn . Which is not to say pancakes as we known them did n’t exist at the time . They did . But for many Americans of the time , corn was gaudy easy to come by , which go to this var. .

Slapjacks in 1796 , it seems , were flat , small , and not at all downy — sparse even then hoe cake , which tend to be cheeseparing to a cornbread . Townsend claim that it would n’t be another 50 years before any sort of leaven would appear in similar formula . No elucidation on the etymology and usage of slapjack vs flapjack , but either one does just ticket with butter and maple syrup .