The confusion between pancakes and flapjacks comes from the two words having different meanings in the USA and the UK.
In the US and Canada, flapjacks and pancakes refer to the same food, while the two are totally different in the UK. Flapjacks and pancakes are used interchangeably in the US. Both refer to the thin, round cakes made from a batter that is fried on a griddle or in a pan on both sides that are traditionally served for breakfast.
The word flapjack is believed to come from flipping, or ‘flapping’ the cake on a griddle in the cooking process.