Pronunciation: [pɹˈɛtsə͡lz] (IPA) 
The word "pretzels" is spelled with a "z" not an "s" because the "t" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar affricate, represented in IPA as /ts/. This sound is typically spelled with a "z" in English when it comes before a vowel, as in "pizzas" and "hazelnuts". Therefore, "pretzels" follows this spelling rule. In addition, the "el" in "pretzels" is pronounced as a schwa sound (represented in IPA as /əl/).
Pretzels are a type of baked bread product that is typically twisted into a knot-like shape. They are made from a simple dough, commonly consisting of flour, water, yeast, and salt. The dough is shaped into a looped knot with a distinctive three-hole design, and then it is briefly boiled in water and baked until golden brown. The resulting pretzels have a crunchy exterior and a soft, chewy interior.
Pretzels are often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer and are popular in various cuisines worldwide. They have a rich history dating back centuries, and are particularly associated with German, Austrian, and Swiss cultures. In these regions, pretzels hold significant cultural and symbolic meaning, often being associated with prosperity, luck, or religious traditions, such as during Easter time.
Modern pretzels have evolved beyond the traditional plain variety. There are now numerous variations available, including salted or unsalted pretzels, pretzel sticks, pretzel nuggets, and even sweet pretzels coated in chocolate or other toppings. Pretzels can also be made in various sizes, ranging from small bite-sized pieces to jumbo pretzels commonly found in stadiums or amusement parks.
Due to their versatility, pretzels have become a popular snack worldwide, both as a standalone treat and as an ingredient in numerous dishes. They are often served with dips, such as cheese or mustard, or used to make sandwiches, bread crumbs, or even incorporated into desserts.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pretzel" is believed to have originated from the old German word "brezel" or "pretzel", which dates back to the early 12th century. It is derived from the Latin word "bracellus", meaning "little arms". This term referred to the shape of the twisted knot of dough commonly seen in pretzels, resembling crossed arms or hands folded in prayer. Over time, the word "pretzel" became widely adopted in different languages, including English, to describe this distinct baked snack.
