This is madness.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is making headlines for a controversial decision regarding its official list of study words for the upcoming 2024-2025 competition. Among the words approved for third-graders to study is the term “womyn,” a feminist-inspired alternative spelling for “women.”
This inclusion has sparked a firestorm of criticism, particularly among conservatives. The term “womyn” is promoted by some in the feminist movement as a way to eliminate the “men” suffix, which they argue reinforces gender stereotypes. However, this word, which is often associated with certain left-wing political ideologies, has no place in the standard English language for most Americans.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is a highly respected academic competition, explained that all words used in the event are drawn from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary. According to a spokesperson for the Bee, “womyn” is listed as an alternative spelling for “women” in this official dictionary. Therefore, it qualifies for inclusion in the competition’s study list. This explanation, however, has done little to quell the backlash.
Critics are rightfully questioning why the Spelling Bee is legitimizing such politically charged terminology. “Womyn” is not a commonly accepted or widely used word in everyday American English, yet it is now being introduced to young children as an acceptable variant. The inclusion of this term seems to be another example of the left pushing their political agenda into every corner of American society—this time, through an educational competition.
Conservative voices have quickly taken to social media to express their outrage. LibsofTikTok, a popular conservative account, shared their disbelief with over 3.8 million followers, while Turning Point USA also weighed in, calling the decision absurd. One user even joked that the satirical website Babylon Bee had predicted this moment, referencing a sketch where a spelling bee contestant argues with judges over the definition of “woman”—a direct nod to the 2022 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who famously admitted she could not define the word “woman.”
For many conservatives, this issue highlights a growing concern that progressive ideologies are infiltrating education, with institutions like the Scripps National Spelling Bee prioritizing political correctness over traditional values. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the battle over language and its role in shaping cultural norms is far from over.