Here's why:
* Short vowel sounds are typically quick and sharp. They are often found in words with one syllable and a closed syllable structure (consonant-vowel-consonant).
* Long vowel sounds are typically drawn out and can be represented by a single vowel letter or a vowel followed by a silent 'e' or a vowel digraph (two vowels).
In the word "meat," the 'e' sound is short and sharp.