The annual Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off today, and every year there seems to be more and more public attention paid to this preeminent spectacle of word-nerdery. As in the past two years, tomorrow's semifinal and final rounds are being broadcast live on national television (semifinals on ESPN from 11 am to 2 pm, finals on ABC from 8 to 10 pm). It's always exciting to see middle-schoolers battle it out for the spelling crown, in a competition rife with dramatic "thrill of victory" and "agony of defeat" moments (most memorably depicted in the suspenseful documentary Spellbound). Adults can only marvel at the preternatural abilities of the young finalists to spell super-obscure words that most of us have seldom — if ever — come across. Where do they get those words, anyway?  Continue reading...

Heidi Harley is a linguist and lover of "The Simpsons." For four years she's collected linguistically oriented "Simpsons" jokes (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). A perfectly cromulent undertaking.

Cruciverbalists unite! Some serious crossword types talk about their puzzling obsession.

Diary of a Crossword Fiend

Madness... Crossword and Otherwise

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The JimH Crossword Blog

Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords

What happens when you marry a haiku with a movie? Haikuvies has the answer!

Think you know books? Test your smarts with the "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night" game! Listen to the opening lines from novels, poetry, even children's books, and see if you can guess the title or author. Check it out here.