Keshav Ramesh (Speller 32) -- who was here last year -- typed the letters of his word, "debacle," as he spelled it.
Before that, he asked if the word was from Latin. On hearing its history -- Latin to Old Provençal to French -- he commented, "long history."
"Can you use the word in a funny sentence, please?" Keshav asked.
Unfortunately for the South Windsor, Connecticut fifth grader, it couldn't be done.
"They're not always funny," Dr. Bailly responded.
Jacob Williamson (Speller 38) wanted a good one, too.
"I know this one, but can you give me a funny sentence for it?" he asked upon hearing his word -- "raconteur."
Dr. Bailly had just one sentence.
"Mr. Backstrom is the resident raconteur at the county library," he read.