Obscure words are par for the course at the Scripps National Spelling Bee—and this year’s national competition, taking place this week just outside Washington, D.C., is no different. Nearly 300 students aged 6 to 15 will somehow manage not to freeze on stage while being asked to spell words that the average American doesn’t even know exist.
But as a map released on Tuesday by Google in honor of the spelling bee reveals, a word doesn’t need to veer into spelling bee territory to be tough for most of us. Google analyzed the top “how to spell” searches by state so far in 2017, and it seems we could use some brushing up on the basics.
How basic are we talking? As you can see from the map below, the words we don’t know how to spell run the gamut, from genuine stumpers like pneumonia to words that seem easy, like banana.
There are a few shockers. Folks in Wisconsin don’t know how to spell the name of their state. (Seriously.) People in California—the state that advertises its gorgeous scenery to tourists and has had the attractiveness of its population immortalized by everyone from the Beach Boys to Snoop Dogg—don’t know how to spell the word “beautiful.” However, folks in New York shouldn’t claim superiority over their left coast brethren, because they don’t know how to spell “beautiful” either—and neither do residents of Kentucky, Minnesota, or Ohio.
Another big surprise: Connecticut and West Virginia both searched for "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" the most.
Education experts remain divided over whether assigning students a weekly list of words to learn and be tested on is the most effective way to teach spelling. Some even argue that spelling tests are obsolete because of autocorrect. Meanwhile, through a national broadcast on ESPN this Thursday, the students gathered for the Scripps National Spelling Bee will be able to show the nation their prowess—and the winner will walk away with $40,000.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.