Q 01/05

In the best-known legend, a monk crossed strips of dough so the pretzel would resemble what?

A) Two hands praying

B) A monastery bell

C) A crown of thorns

D) A shepherd's crook

Answer · why

A) Two hands praying

The story places the invention in a monastery around AD 610, with the twisted loops handed out as rewards to children who learned their prayers.

Q 02/05

In that legend, the monk called his creation 'pretiola', a Latin word meaning what?

A) Little prayers

B) Little rewards

C) Little arms

D) Little knots

Answer · why

B) Little rewards

The pretiola were supposedly handed to students who had memorised their prayers, which is why the snack became linked with monasteries and Lent.

Q 03/05

The German word 'Brezel' may derive from the Latin 'bracellus', a medieval term for which object?

A) Bracelet

B) Belt buckle

C) Basket

D) Bridle

Answer · why

A) Bracelet

A rival etymology traces it to 'bracchiola', meaning little arms, which fits the folded-arms shape just as neatly.

Q 04/05

The pretzel has been the emblem of which trade's guilds in southern Germany since at least the 12th century?

A) Brewers

B) Millers

C) Bakers

D) Innkeepers

Answer · why

C) Bakers

A gilded pretzel still hangs outside many German bakeries as a shop sign, much as a striped pole marks a barber.

Q 05/05

Simple flour-and-water pretzels were popular during which Christian season, when eggs, lard and dairy were forbidden?

A) Advent

B) Epiphany

C) Pentecost

D) Lent

Answer · why

D) Lent

The same fasting rules gave the pretzel its long association with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday in parts of Europe.