Pearl Gabel/New York Daily News
Arvind V. Mahankali - The winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2013 and who is sponsored by the Daily News - with Daily News reporter Joseph Straw in Washington, D.C. on May 30, 2013. (Pearl Gabel/ New York Daily News)
WASHINGTON — Queens' Arvind Mahankali may be one in 11 million spellers, but I'm no slouch. I placed first among fifth-graders in my middle school bee. I write for a living. That said, I do lean on spell check for some common words, like "E-M-B-A-R-R-A-S-S-M-E-N-T."
That word came to mind Friday when I challenged the spelling champ to quiz me with five stumpers he's nailed in his four years of Scripps national spelling bees.
"Your first word is 'chalumeau,'" Arvind said. It's a musical instrument.
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I had learned some tricks by watching him work. I've covered Arvind's efforts in two of his four appearances in the suspense-filled tournament, including his thrilling victory Thursday night.
"What is the language of origin?" I asked.
"French," he said. I had a fighting chance.
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"C-H-A-L-M-E-A-U," I responded.
"You were off by one letter," Arvind said. It wouldn't be the last time.
I also botched "gallere," meaning a group of friends, "opodeldoc," meaning a type of soap, and "mertensia," which is a genus of herbs. Then came the biggest challenge yet: "Ouagadougou," the capital of Burkina Faso, which I spelled as it sounds: "W-A-G-A-D-U-G-A."
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I managed to miss all five words.
"I guess I wouldn't make the finals," I quipped.
Arvind responded with polite silence. He's destined for great things. I'm just grateful for spell check.
***
MY GUESS
1. Chalmeau
2. Gullere
3. Opadeldoc
4. Meretincia
5. Wagaduga
CORRECT SPELLING
1. Chalumeau
2. Gallere
3. Opodeldoc
4. Mertensia
5. Ouagadougou
01 Jun, 2013
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