Definition of flip

The word "flip" in the context of pancakes and crepes has its origin in the early 20th century. The precise origin of the term is uncertain, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that the term "flip" may have originated from the sound that a pancake makes as it is flipped in the air. The word "flip" is an onomatopoeic term, meaning it imitates the sound it describes. Another theory is that the term "flip" may have originated from the apocryphal story of a 17th-century English cook named Joseph Nathan who attempted to cook an omelet for King Charles II. The story goes that Nathan used a large metal spider instead of a spatula to flip the omelet in the air, and King Charles II exclaimed, "Well done, Joseph, you've flipped me an omelet!" While this story is likely a folk myth, it's possible that the term "flip" originated from this fanciful tale. Regardless of its origin, the term "flip" has become a common and widely understood term in the culinary world, particularly when referring to the act of flipping a pancake or crepe in the air. The term has also been adopted to describe other activities that involve a quick, sudden motion, such as flipping through a book or flipping a switch.