How quaint 18th-century 'spell-fights' evolved into the Scripps National Spelling Bee

The true origin story of the most uniquely American pastime

Peg McCarthy, winner of the 51st National Spelling Bee.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)

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America has long loved the spelling bee.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.