And what's the difference? AFAICT it's pretty much exactly the same sound, except in one case it's longer, in the other shorter. Say "bit"... Then say it again,

And what's the difference? AFAICT it's pretty much exactly the same sound, except in one case it's longer, in the other shorter. Say "bit"... Then say it again, only looonger... And you get "beet". Say "wit", but longer, and you get "wheat".