Scripps National Spelling Bee

178 years ago today – on September 24, 1847 – Merriam-Webster's New and Revised Edition was released! It was just four years after Noah Webster's death in 1843, when all rights to the name "Webster" were purchased by George and Charles Merriam. #dictionary

In 1992, Ned Andrews finished 15th at the Bee. He came back in 1993 and improved to 14th. Then in 1994? He spelled his way to the trophy. 🏆 Ned later served on the Bee’s competition staff for six years. This past May, he returned to D.C. to celebrate our 100th anniversary. ❤️

In 1985, Balu Natarajan became the first Indian American to win the Bee, paving the way for the wave of Indian Americans who have dominated the competition ever since. 🏆 In May, we were honored to welcome Balu back for our 100th anniversary celebration. 🐝💯 #legend

It's the 20th anniversary of that time speller Dominic Ranz Ebarle Errazo from South Carolina dropped his best Napoleon Dynamite impression just before correctly spelling his word at the 2005 Bee. 🧨 After all, girls only want boyfriends who have great skills. 😁 Classic.

On this Fashion Day, we celebrate the bouffant and also take this opportunity to submit our vote to change it to the bee-ffant.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. #wordoftheweek #spellingbee