It’s funny how we often don’t think about the little details in our everyday language until someone points them out. I bet many people have never really considered how they pronounced the word “auntie” until Auntie Anne’s started a poll on it. It’s quite fascinating to realize that people say it differently and that everyone has their own preference. It’s one of those small quirks of language that reflects our different backgrounds and regional accents. However, Auntie Anne’s settles the debate for National Auntie Day, and the survey results are in.
That’s right. With National Auntie Day on July 26 just around the corner, Auntie Anne’s decided to settle this lighthearted issue once and for all. Is it “Ahn-tee” or “Ant-ee?” The iconic pretzel chain surveyed Americans and found that more than half say AHN-TEE! Interestingly though, the survey also found that even those who call their aunts AHN-TEE still refer to the brand as ANT-EE Anne’s!
But no matter how you pronounce “Auntie” or whether you prefer sweet or salty pretzels, you can celebrate the auntie-dedicated day at Auntie Anne’s with a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel when you purchase any pretzel item. This offer is valid only on July 26, National Auntie Day.
Survey Findings
If you’re curious about the exact numbers, Auntie Anne’s recent survey sheds light on some surprising details about Americans’ preferences and pronunciation. It turns out that 54% of Americans say “Auntie” as “AHN-TEE,” while 46% say it as “ANT-EE.” When it comes to the popular pretzel brand, more people use “ANT-EE Anne’s” (34%) compared to “AHN-TEE Anne’s” (24%).
When it comes to pretzel preferences, 49% of people like their pretzels sweet, compared to 35% who prefer salty. Other flavors include spicy (12%) and nutty (5%). For dips, cheese is the top choice at 38%, followed by mustard at 26%, cream cheese at 7%, and ranch at 4%.
While this might not seem like a groundbreaking discovery, it helps to humorously ease the minds of those who can’t figure out how to correctly pronounce “Auntie,” especially when buying their favorite pretzel from the popular pretzel provider.
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What Fans Are Saying
Even with the brand’s own survey findings on how the word “Auntie” should be pronounced, fans can’t help but keep the conversation going on social media. Auntie Anne’s UK has even joined in the comment section, sharing that in some parts of the UK, the word might even be said as “ant-ih” (pronounced much quicker) or “arn-tee” (with an emphasis on the ‘arn’).
Many also can’t help but stray from the topic, asking the brand to bring back the Sour Cream and Onion pretzels, which seems to be a popular flavor among Auntie Anne’s fans. However one might choose to sound out the word “Auntie,” one thing is clear: Auntie Anne’s has become part of American culture and vocabulary, always baking up the best and most flavorful pretzels to enjoy as a summer treat or during a stroll through the mall.
National Auntie Day
If you’re an auntie to someone, July 26 would be a great day to spend time with your nieces and nephews and treat them to free pretzels. Remember, to redeem the brand’s National Auntie Day offer at any Auntie Anne’s, simply purchase any pretzel item so you can get a free Original Pretzel or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel. To learn more, visit Auntie Anne’s official website and follow Auntie Anne’s official Instagram, Facebook, and other social media pages.
Find nearby Auntie Anne’s locations in malls, travel plazas, or airports. Check here to see all Auntie Anne’s stores within your area. Download the Auntie Anne’s rewards app and sign up for a free account to get access to deals exclusive to rewards members.
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From The Club
I actually have thought about how the word “Auntie” is pronounced only because I’m aware that people say it differently. It’s one of those things where it depends heavily on where you grew up and how you heard it be pronounced. More than the fact people say it differently, what’s more fascinating to me is that there is no one way to correctly pronounce it. We can literally choose to pronounce it however we like. So, when I drop by my nearest Auntie Anne’s, I can feel confident in knowing that I can have my own way of saying the name of my favorite pretzel place and no one will come at me for it. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but it could happen.