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[[Image:643px-Pretzel.jpg|right|thumb|A modern factory produced pretzel.]]

[[Image:643px-Pretzel.jpg|right|thumb|A modern factory produced pretzel.]]

A '''pretzel''' is a baked snack made of [[dough]] that usually has a knot-like shape. Pretzels are sold in many different varieties such as the soft dough pretzel, and smaller hard versions of the knot-like soft dough pretzels.

A '''pretzel''' is a baked snack made of [[dough]] that usually has a knot-like shape. Pretzels are sold in many different varieties such as the soft dough pretzel, and smaller hard versions of the knot-like soft dough pretzels. They originated in [[Germany]] during the [[Middle Ages]], likely in monasteries.

A pretzel's shape is in the form of arms crossed in [[prayer]].  Ancient Christians "shaped these breads in the form of crossed arms for in those days they crossed their arms over the breast while praying. Therefore they called the breads 'little arms' (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term 'pretzel.'"<ref>

A pretzel's shape is in the form of arms crossed in [[prayer]].  Ancient Christians "shaped these breads in the form of crossed arms for in those days they crossed their arms over the breast while praying. Therefore they called the breads 'little arms' (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term 'pretzel.'"<ref>