The Scripps National Spelling Bee, one of the United States’ most prestigious academic competitions, has come under fire after including the feminist alternative spelling “womyn” as an acceptable variant for “women” in its official study list. The decision, first reported by Fox News, has sparked significant backlash, particularly from conservative critics, igniting a larger debate around language, inclusivity, and political correctness.
The controversy emerged when the study list for third-grade participants included “women” alongside “womyn,” marked with a double asterisk. This decision comes ahead of the Bee’s 100th anniversary finals in May 2025. Critics argue that “womyn,” a term often associated with feminist ideology, unnecessarily alters language. The Oxford Dictionary notes that the spelling avoids the “-men” suffix in “women,” symbolizing a break from the word “man.”
In response, a spokesperson for Scripps clarified that all competition words are sourced from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary, the Bee’s official reference. “Our policy is to accept any correct spelling listed in the official dictionary that isn’t marked archaic or obsolete. The alternate spelling ‘womyn’ is included on the study list as it is a valid entry in Merriam-Webster,” the spokesperson stated.
Despite this explanation, the decision has faced widespread criticism, particularly from conservative voices on social media. One user commented: “Hey, @ScrippsBee, this is NOT acceptable. What a disappointment you have become. A non-woke organisation needs to take over the spelling bee if you’re going to do this.”