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St. Paul, Minn.

Exploring misunderstood words with the Oxford etymologist

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Spelling bee champion
Sameer Mishra, 13, from Indiana won the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Mishra by correctly spelling the word 'guerdon' in round 16.
YASMEEN GHOLMIEH/AFP/Getty
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Spelling bee champion
Sameer Mishra, 13, from Indiana won the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Mishra by correctly spelling the word 'guerdon' in round 16.
YASMEEN GHOLMIEH/AFP/Getty
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