Why Is It Called a Spelling Bee?

Ever wonder why the classic spelling competition is called a “spelling bee“? It turns out the “bee” portion of the name has nothing to do with the industrious insect.

According to Dictionary.com, “bee” is derived from the Old English word “bēn” meaning “a prayer, a favor.” By the late 1700s or eighteenth century, “bee” had become commonly associated with the British dialect form, been or bean, referring to the concept of neighbors joining together to work collaboratively on a task to help someone in need, like a quilting bee or sewing bee.

The earliest known printed use of the term “spelling bee” dates back to 1825, though children had been taking part in competitive spelling activities for years prior.

So the “bee” in spelling bee doesn’t actually refer to the buzzing of bees in a hive, as was long believed.

While its origins are more pragmatic than metaphorical, the catchy name has lasted for nearly 200 years. The Scripps National Spelling Bee continues to showcase elite spellers from across the globe who spell words like “antediluvian,” “soubrette,” and “crustaceology” in pursuit of that final spelling “favor.”