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Original poster

Spelling Bee should have been compulsory

83 replies

Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 09:26

Just a little light hearted post to seek out fellow spelling nerds…

I have been scrolling through a second hand clothing / preloved items app and the number of times somebody has explained that an item has sequence and not sequins is mind blowing.

Such a lovely blue sequenced dress…. 😳🤣

Any other favourites?

PS I’ve had to double check my own post for any faults of my own 😂😂😂 but besides for my iPhone auto correcting favourites to favorites, I think I’m safe!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 10:40

Catsandcannedbeans · 22/08/2025 10:38

Oh my god! The idea of a compulsory spelling bee terrifies me. I genuinely have chills at the thought of it. Flash back to year 1 spelling tests, the highest I ever got was 4/10, and my grandad was so proud he took me for a carvery dinner! When I used to do the order for the pub I worked at, the delivery guy would always comment on how he knew Cat had done the order because it was spelled wrong. I truly am in awe of people who can spell.

It is a skill!

My post is genuinely light-hearted (don’t forget the hyphen!) and I really don’t believe that any child should be subjected to any sort of humiliation in front of a group of people. But I do believe that schools should focus a bit more on these sort of things before it’s a skill lost in a sea of slang and made up words.

Ps now I’m wondering if the hyphen a PP referred to in my initial post is for pre-loved or light-hearted? Someone enlighten me and let me learn!

OP posts:
NapoleonsToe · 22/08/2025 10:40

Abit and alot. Why?

Catsandcannedbeans · 22/08/2025 10:38

Oh my god! The idea of a compulsory spelling bee terrifies me. I genuinely have chills at the thought of it. Flash back to year 1 spelling tests, the highest I ever got was 4/10, and my grandad was so proud he took me for a carvery dinner! When I used to do the order for the pub I worked at, the delivery guy would always comment on how he knew Cat had done the order because it was spelled wrong. I truly am in awe of people who can spell.

CyanDreamer · 22/08/2025 10:37

It's the never-ending race to the bottom with our current education system. Everybody is brilliant, everybody is top of the class, no issue should ever be addressed or that would be "shaming" a struggling child, his parents, and their ancestors.

Then you end up with people absolutely flabbergasted they didn't get a job because it could not occur to them that not only a minimum is required, but mainly you need to be the best to get it.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 10:36

Aspanielstolemysanity · 22/08/2025 10:27

I used to think I was superior because I found spelling easy.

But DD is very bright and very dyslexic and I have realised how grotesque it is to look down on people because they struggle with spelling. Her vocabulary is amazing, her understanding of the world and her drive is amazing. And she feels so embarrassed as she knows she will be judged on her spellings

Luckily success overshadows any shortcoming in spelling ability unless her future career actually requires spelling. My DH is very successful and cannot spell very well. When I read our work group chats I just shake my head. Think rite instead of right or write. He does ok and given just about everyone’s spelling is questionable these days, no one should judge her too harshly.

OP posts:
AsburyPark · 22/08/2025 10:32

popcornpower2025 · 22/08/2025 10:21

I'm not a pedant at all but I am really noticing how common the incorrect use of 'yourself' is becoming. My very intelligent, experienced manager changed you to yourself on a letter I was working on recently. I changed it back before sending it

Yes I’ve noticed that a lot lately too. Yourself and myself used instead of just you and me.

AmyDudley · 22/08/2025 10:30

Isn't a spelling bee a thing where kids have to stand up in front of everyone and spell words? Sounds like a good way to humiliate kids who struggle with spelling, children who are dyslexic for example.
Teaching spelling - fine (I think it is taught in most schools anyway)
Compulsory public humiliation, not so much.

Aspanielstolemysanity · 22/08/2025 10:27

I used to think I was superior because I found spelling easy.

But DD is very bright and very dyslexic and I have realised how grotesque it is to look down on people because they struggle with spelling. Her vocabulary is amazing, her understanding of the world and her drive is amazing. And she feels so embarrassed as she knows she will be judged on her spellings

popcornpower2025 · 22/08/2025 10:21

I'm not a pedant at all but I am really noticing how common the incorrect use of 'yourself' is becoming. My very intelligent, experienced manager changed you to yourself on a letter I was working on recently. I changed it back before sending it

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 10:21

Spelling is probably the wrong word in this context.

It is strange how our brains work and are wired differently. I think I recognise words and their correct placement in a specific context, spelling is more phonetic and sounding out the different parts that make up a word.

I just know the difference between stationery and stationary. My DH wouldn’t. They sound the same, mean different things and are spelt very slightly different. This is more knowledge than spelling.

OP posts:
MissScarletInTheBallroom · 22/08/2025 10:17

DongDingBell · 22/08/2025 10:09

Spelling bees don't help some people with spelling.
I spent hours and hours getting DS to learn his spellings for primary spelling tests. He could drill them enough to pass the test on a Friday, but not a chance he'd get them right in the story he wrote the next week.
Let's just say we didn't try very hard when school wanted a spelling bee for all the MFLs taught!

Yes, I had a friend at school who always got 10/10 for every spelling test but couldn't spell for toffee. She worked harder than anyone else and would spend hours revising for each spelling test, but her brain just couldn't retain it afterwards.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 22/08/2025 10:15

Isn't Spelling Bee just a way for kids who are already good at spelling to show off?

All schools teach spelling. Some people are better at it than others.

NannyR · 22/08/2025 10:14

Dancingsquirrels · 22/08/2025 09:43

Pacifically instead of specifically

Me and my friend instead of My friend and I

But, people are only as good as the folk who teach them, at home and school

I'm not a grammar expert but I thought that there were times when "me and my friend" was correct, for example "Sophie invited me and my friend to tea"

DongDingBell · 22/08/2025 10:09

Spelling bees don't help some people with spelling.
I spent hours and hours getting DS to learn his spellings for primary spelling tests. He could drill them enough to pass the test on a Friday, but not a chance he'd get them right in the story he wrote the next week.
Let's just say we didn't try very hard when school wanted a spelling bee for all the MFLs taught!

Dancingsquirrels · 22/08/2025 10:05

PinkZebraStripes · 22/08/2025 09:47

Pacifically is not even a word. Its actually quite a nice sounding one though.

Show quote history

I know ! But some of my family say it

Avocadohoho · 22/08/2025 10:05

You used should have, instead of should of, you wonderful person!

Aloud instead of allowed winds me up.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 10:00

My DH ex-wife would annually send us the kid’s stationary list. I always felt a little bit of smug satisfaction when I read the message. She was not very nice to me but at least I knew the difference.

OP posts:
HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 22/08/2025 09:57

WifeOfAGemini · 22/08/2025 09:37

So you like spelling but not a huge fan of hyphenation OP?😂

I actually would have loved a spelling bee competition as a kid! I was a word nerd. I cannot see it catching on though, curriculum space is already limited.

My DS's school is involved in spelling bees. They happen internally and the winners represent the school in a regional competition.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 09:56

Homophones not homophobes 😂😂😂

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 22/08/2025 09:54

It’s not spelling it’s mishearing or not having read the word. Or having read it but not heard it and mispronouncing it.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 09:52

Or I love you more then anything instead of I love you more THAN anything.

OP posts:
TickyandTacky · 22/08/2025 09:52

A FB group I'm in has a lot of members using the word 'assistants'. The amount of people that spell it 'assistance' blows my mind.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 22/08/2025 09:51

Specially instead of especially is another.

OP posts:
PestoHoliday · 22/08/2025 09:50

PinkZebraStripes · 22/08/2025 09:47

Pacifically is not even a word. Its actually quite a nice sounding one though.

Show quote history

Yes it is.
It means calmly, soothingly. From "pacific" meaning peaceful.

PinkZebraStripes · 22/08/2025 09:47

Dancingsquirrels · 22/08/2025 09:43

Pacifically instead of specifically

Me and my friend instead of My friend and I

But, people are only as good as the folk who teach them, at home and school

Pacifically is not even a word. Its actually quite a nice sounding one though.