The Pretzel

In 610 AD, in northern Italy a monk wanted to make a treat for kids to memorize their Bible verses and prayers. He took leftover bread dough and made stripes and twisted them into the shape of a person praying. In those days when people prayed they took their arms and crossed them over on opposite sides and put them on their chests. Then the monk gave the treat to kids as a reward when they memorized their Bible verses and prayers. They were also used to help the children understand the trinity of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. As the three holes represented the Christian Trinity. The monk called it a Pretiola. Which means little reward in Latin. From there it is transformed into the Italian word Brachiola, which means little arms.