10 Challenging Words from the Scripps Spelling Bee: Etymology and Pop Culture
By
Amanda Montell, Andrew Herzog, Nicky Tesla
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
This article explores words from the Scripps Spelling Bee competitions and training lists, covering a range of terms from Italian loanwords in classical music to 20th-century slang and nonsense terms. It tests readers' knowledge of etymology, pop culture, Latin roots, and spelling skills through various word examples drawn from past Bee competitions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledIn music, this type of 'leaning' grace note clashes with the melody just enough to create dissonance, then sweet resolution.
The word is derived from 'appoggiare,' an Italian verb meaning 'to lean,' which in turn comes from the Greek root 'pod,' meaning 'feet.'
Hundreds of Italian loanwords exist in English, especially in fields like classical music or haute cuisine.
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