Week 5 in New York: I Say Bagel; You Say Bagel

This is a two part story - one half food, one half linguistics. It's hard to say which comes first, or which is more important - but the end result is that these are two things that help to define me as a person.

My love affair with bagels started so long ago now that I can barely remember life before them. It's like they've always been there - soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, warm and delightful - taunting me from both near and far, seemingly calling out to me saying "Eat me, Brianna, I'm delicious." So I do. And often. I've had good bagels, amazing bagels, mediocre bagels and bad bagels. It's not that I blame the bad bagels, though. I blame their makers - and their unfortunate lack of the proper setting, because I think we all know, there are no bagels in the world...like those in New York City. I'm sorry, but it's just fact.

When I first moved to Westchester, Carlo introduced me to the tiny hole in the wall known only as the Wykagyl Bagel Shop. This place...really doesn't even have a name. It doesn't need one. It's so incredible, that Westchester-ites know it, or have heard tell of it no matter where they live, where they've come from, or how long they've been here. It's legendary.

As often as I can possibly get there, I go. The pumpernickel has become my standard. With a giant slab of cream cheese. And though this place doesn't toast - the bagels are always fresh, warm, and crispy, making it a nearly magical - definitely spiritual - experience, and wonder to behold.

This all being said, it's not without tribulation that this miracle of bageldom is enjoyed, which brings us to part two. Linguistics. I know up until now you've all been reading about bagels and saying 'bay-guls' in your head. Your vowel here is a close-mid front unrounded vowel that borders on diphthong where as my vowel is a near-open front unrounded vowel. Try it and see what you come up with. In fact...try it while eating a bagel. Just for me.

I bring this up because I'm probably the only person EVER to say this 'incorrectly'. I've tried to change, to no avail - and trust me there are no shortage of people in my life that think it's hilarious (and possibly annoying) that I can't say this the way they can. So, while I will continue to enjoy this absolutely unparalleled carbo-creation...I'll do so at the mercy of those around me...and their giggles.

Cheers,

Breezer M.