The pretzel, a crisp biscuit baked in the form of a knot or stick and flavored with salt, is honored today on National Pretzel Day (April 26). But where did this treat originally come from? Where did the pretzel come from? There are many rumors regarding the origins of this baked good, including appearing in a fifth-century manuscript in the Vatican. But according to a 1988 article in the New York Times, it was invented in 610 A.D. by a monk in southern France. He apparently twisted leftover bread dough into crossed praying arms with three holes representing the Trinity. He gave this to children who learned their prayers as a reward. However, there is disagreement as to where the word came from. Pretiola is in Latin but some think that it's from the Old German word brezitella. Then, 900 years later, Turks tunneled under the city walls of Vienna and were caught by pretzel bakers. These bakers were awarded a coat of arms of a pretzel and a rampant lion on a shield, which is still in use today. Where can I get a free pretzel? Pretzelmaker: You can enjoy a free pretzel on National Pretzel Day courtesy of Pretzelmaker. Reward members can get a free salted or unsalted pretzel. If you're not already a member, you can enrol on the company's Rewards App. Wetzel's Pretzels: What's better than a free pretzel? Not having to buy anything for a free pretzel. Wetzel's Pretzel is giving away free pretzels on April 26, without the need to buy anything. It's only happening at participating stores so check your local store. Ben's Soft Pretzels: People can get a free jumbo soft pretzel if they donate a minimum $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. All the donations will go toward building new Intrepid Spirit centers for military personnel who suffer from traumatic brain injuries or psychological health conditions. Not all stores are participating so check your local store. Philly Pretzel Factory: Get your free pretzel on April 26, at your local store. Aunt Annies: If you're working on Pretzel Day then try to persuade your boss to get some pretzels. Aunt Annies is offering $25 off $100 online catering orders with promo code NPD25 Bierhaus NYC: Pretzels and beer, anyone? Bierhaus is giving away a free pretzel with every liter bought of its Hofbrau bier.<doc-sep>Save some dough on twisted treats Friday. It's National Pretzel Day and pretzel franchises and businesses nationwide are celebrating the salty made-up food holiday by giving away pretzels and other discounted treats. The day to honor the knotted treat began in 1983 by then-U.S. Rep. Robert Walker of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Twenty years later in 2003, then-Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell made it official when he declared April 26 as National Pretzel Day. According to a survey from Shopkick, 63% said they opted for a salty pretzel, followed by 33% sweet and 3% spicy. The shopping rewards app partnered with Auntie Anne’s to survey more than 40,000 Americans to get their take on the great dipping debate and found 54% of pretzel fans like to dip their pretzels. If you're planning to celebrate Friday, "mustard up" some patience because long lines are expected. April freebies:Your monthly guide to food specials, meal deals and more A different kind of treat:S'mores Frappuccino returns to Starbucks Tuesday for a limited time Pretzel Day perks Here are the deals and freebies, available Friday at participating locations, unless otherwise noted. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out. Some offers require you to have a mobile app. Auntie Anne’s: The world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise has a three-day deal. Buy any pretzel item and get an Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel for free Friday through Sunday. The offer will be available for anyone to access on the company’s website and added to Pretzel Perks app user accounts. Sign up for the rewards program at www.auntieannes.com. Through Friday, get $25 off $100 catering orders with promo code NPD25. Ben's Soft Pretzels: With a $1 minimum donation to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, get a free jumbo soft pretzel Friday. One traditional pretzel per person. The company says 100% of donations will go toward building new centers for military personnel who suffer from traumatic brain injury or psychological health conditions. Plus, enter to win free pretzels for a year by posting a Ben's Pretzel photo to Instagram or Twitter using two hashtags: #NationalPretzelDay and #Benspretzels. Cumberland Farms: Get a free Chill Zone fountain or frozen beverage with the purchase of any hot pretzel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at participating locations. Philly Pretzel Factory: Get a free soft pretzel Friday at all locations. No purchase necessary. Pretzelmaker: New and existing Pretzelmaker Rewards app members get a free original soft pretzel (salted or unsalted) on Friday. Download the app and sign up to join by 8 p.m. Friday to receive the offer. Also, 25 users will be surprised with a pretzel party featuring the company’s new catering offerings. Learn more at www.pretzelmaker.com/national-pretzel-day-2019. Quaker Steak & Lube: Revved Up Rewards members get a free pretzel with beer cheese dip for National Pretzel Day. Sign up for the loyalty program at https://rewards.thelube.com/rewards. Snyder’s of Hanover: Through April 28, get $1 off two bags of Snyder’s of Hanover or Snack Factory pretzel bags at participating retailers nationwide with a coupon on select packages. The brand also will be giving free bags away in select cities nationwide including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Washington, D.C., at 8 a.m. Find a list of locations here. Utz Snacks: The pretzel brand is giving away free snacks for a year to one person. To enter, like and share a Facebook post at www.facebook.com/UtzSnacks with a comment on your favorite kind of Utz Pretzel. Learn more here. Wetzel's Pretzels: Friday also is National Wetzel's Day and the chain is giving out free original pretzels. No purchase necessary. Follow the brand's Instagram page by Sunday to get a code for another free pretzel through the Wetzel’s Pretzel app valid through May 5. World of Beer: Members of the WOB Rewards program who buy a German pretzel Friday, get an offer for a free pretzel Saturday through May 4. To join the program, download the World of Beer app or register at www.worldofbeer.com/WOBRewards. More deals: Other locally owned businesses and smaller chains may also have National Pretzel Day deals Friday. One of the easiest ways to find specials is by checking social media accounts. Follow Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko<doc-sep>
April 26 is National Pretzel Day, so go out and treat yourself. (CNN) — It’s National Pretzel Day, and we’re here to help you save some dough. If you’re craving some soft, warm goodness on this glorious day of celebration, here’s a list of places where you can cop a pretzel for free (or almost free) on April 26. Wetzel’s Pretzels : One free original pretzel Philly Pretzel Factory : One free soft pretzel Auntie Anne’s : Buy any pretzel item and get an original or cinamon sugar pretzel for free until Sunday with this : Buy any pretzel item and get an original or cinamon sugar pretzel for free until Sunday with this coupon Pretzelmaker : Sign up for the : Sign up for the rewards app and get a free soft pretzel Quaker Steak & Lube : One free pretzel with beer cheese dip if you’re a rewards member Ben’s Soft Pretzels : Donate $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund for a free jumbo soft pretzel Cumberland Farms: Buy a hot pretzel between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and get a free Chill Zone beverage While you’re waiting in line to get your twisted treat, perhaps you can pass the time by telling the person behind you about where pretzels came from and why they came to be. Though the exact origin of the pretzel is unknown, legend has it that an Italian monk invented it in 610 AD to reward children who learned their prayers. The characteristic loops of a pretzel supposedly resemble the crossed arms of praying children, which is exactly the image you want in your head while you’re ripping into some Auntie Anne’s. The Catholic Church inadvertently contributed to the popularity of pretzels when it issued strict rules about fasting during Lent in the seventh century, according to The History Channel. Because pretzels are basically just bread and water, they were a good, penitent food to snack on in lieu of more substantial meals.