Comments on: KSK Gamebook: Scripps National Spelling Bee

By: Kurt M. Weber

Kurt M. Weber — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:02:01 +0000

As a former (very successful) competitor in these, I agree with your assessment of “Mou” (dunno if that’s a real name or not, since I wasn’t able to watch this one…I was off beating high schoolers into the ground and making them run ’till they puke). The whole “use it in a sentence” and “define it” crap doesn’t actually help. All it is is a stalling tactic–which is pointless anyway since there’s no time limit!

Get up there and if you need time to think through the word (which does help–knowledge of etymology and rules of orthography and morphology can help you make a reasonable guess at the spelling of an unfamiliar word, and sometimes it takes time to work these things out) use it, but just be honest about it and don’t try to pretend that’s not what you’re doing. Take the time you need, but just spell the word.

By: Admiral Snackbar

Admiral Snackbar — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:06:39 +0000

I have a word for these kids to spell: BORING.

By: rick muscles

rick muscles — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:22:22 +0000

Why aren’t you directly quoting my jokes? You people have no taste.

By: Otto Man

Otto Man — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:18:03 +0000

Cromulent.

The “e” embiggens all of us.

By: Gino Tourettsa

Gino Tourettsa — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:07:42 +0000

Is it spelled “cromulant” or “cromulent”?

By: Slash

Slash — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:38:34 +0000

I actually know what AXOLOTL means without having to look it up.

I don’t know whether that’s good or bad.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:33:05 +0000

Oof — kickass Pearl Jam reference.

By: Jim U.

Jim U. — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:22:02 +0000

@UU – Those are parts of the world I never ever want to visit.

By: Upstate Underdog

Upstate Underdog — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:48:39 +0000

Still waiting for sexy Friday, but in some parts of the world that picture defines sexy Friday

By: OJ Incandenza

OJ Incandenza — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:36:55 +0000

That liveblog was so much fun I forgot to drink. I promise not to overlook that next time.