Could you have beaten the Spelling Bee champ of 1875?

Difference, dialogue, corrigible, chirography, alibi, aggregate, and varioloid - these were the first words thrown at competitors in the 1875 spelling bee, held at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, USA. Amazingly, all were answered correctly.

Spelling bees were a new craze, "a New England invention which has made rapid strides over the country," according to The Times reporter.

"Spelling" for prizes is the prevailing infatuation, and every town and village is having its "bee", attended by crowds - who cheer the successful and laugh at those who are afflicted with a "bad spell". The amusement furnished by these contests is hearty and genuine, and nothing could be more harmless.

And a welcome diversion from politics:

It is gratifying to know that the public taste, diverted into this channel, will enjoy a temporary relief from the almost perpetual political wrangling in which we indulge.

Today The Times Spelling Bee heats kick off all over Britain, and with more than a million visitors to our spelling bee website since its launch last October, it's clear that the appeal is still alive and well. Have a look at the original Times report which lists the words from the 1875 bee, and see if you could have beaten Miss Lizzie J. Rook, the Philadelphia schoolteacher who triumphed over a rowdy and competitive field 134 years ago.