Why are pancakes called pancakes?

It's simple, really! The name reflects exactly how it's made: a cake cooked on a pan.

The word has been around for a long time, appearing in English as early as the 15th century. It's likely that the name came about because people were already familiar with "cake" as a baked good, and the "pan" part simply highlighted the method of cooking.

While the origins of the word are straightforward, the actual origins of the dish itself are a bit more complicated and likely predate the name. Pancakes in some form have been enjoyed in many cultures throughout history, with similar flatbreads found in ancient civilizations around the world.