It's a rare day when I don't reach for my dictionary or type "OED.com" to access the Oxford English Dictionary online to check my spelling. Microsoft Word has a spell check feature I wholly ignore because it's led me astray several times in the past. I can't help but share in the excitement of one young lady, Miss Kavya Shivashankar, the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. Heck, I feel overjoyed when I spell aesthetic without cheating (…and yes, I cheated just now).
I remember being in the sixth grade and participating in our class spelling bee. I can clearly recall misspelling hybrid as "h-y-b-r-e-d." Miss Shivashankar was practically shaking after successfully completing her sixteenth round and being declared the winner. Her eyes sparkled as she held the shining trophy above her head.
As I am writing this, my spell checker is informing me that "laodicean" is not in the dictionary, thus proving my suspicion of software spell checkers.
What the heck does that word mean?
"Laodicean…One who is lukewarm or indifferent in religion, politics, etc."
(I'm assuming there are some real characters running that spelling bee; the championship took place in Washington, D.C.)
Well, if your grammar, spelling, and syntax could use a little help, consider some excellent online writing and English courses: