The Scripps National Spelling Bee in the US has sparked controversy after including the feminist spelling of “womin” as an acceptable alternative to “women” for its competition, according to a report. Fox News. An approved list of study words for third graders wishing to participate in the competition featured a double asterisk next to the word female and alternative spellings below it. The 2025 national final is expected to be held next May to coincide with the competition’s 100th anniversary but controversy threatens to undermine the event.
according to Oxford DictionaryWomin is a form of the word ‘woman’. -My In place of -Male Avoiding association with the plural of human. Responding to the news, a Scripps spokesperson clarified that all words used in the contest were taken from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
“During the competition, our policy is to accept any correct spelling listed in our official dictionary that is not marked as archaic or obsolete. Therefore the alternative spelling ‘womin’ has been included in our study list because it is is listed as an alternative spelling for women in Merriam-Webster,” the outlet quoted a spokesperson.
“In creating our study list, our goal is to include alternative spellings for any word listed in Merriam-Webster. The Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary is the final authority and sole source for the spelling of all words offered in the contest.” Added.
Internet reacts
The decision to include the alternative spelling did not sit well with critics, especially the conservative section of social media.
“Hey @scrippsbee this is not acceptable. How desperate you are. A non-woke organization needs to take over the spelling bee if you’re going to do this,” one user said, while another said : “I guess “womin” is kind of a feminist version of “Latinx?”
Oho, @scriptsby this is not acceptable. How disappointed you have become. If you’re going to do this a non-woke organization needs to take over the spelling bee. #spelling Bee
– Jennifer (@fluffynan) 11 December 2024
A third commented: “Well, in my day, the spelling “womin” was used in informal campus communications. Not sure its usage would have been accepted in papers, unless possibly in a women’s studies department.” yes.”
Well, my days are back @WellesleyThe spelling “womin” was used in informal campus communications. It is not certain whether its use would have been accepted in papers, unless possibly in a women’s studies department.
– Katherine Spehar (@kspehar) 11 December 2024
The move has ignited widespread conversation about language, feminism, and education, with some seeing it as a step towards inclusivity, while others seeing it as an unnecessary change to the language for political purposes.
