He then correctly spelled "phrontistery," a place for thinking or studying, giving a high-five to fellow spellers as he returned to his seat.

'That is my phrontistery, Mr Frere', Louisa smiled, '- my retreat in more clement weather.

Twelve-year-old spelling whiz Arvind Mahankali of Bayside, Queens, barely bats an eyelash at words like distelfink, phrontistery, opodeldoc and uayeb, all of which he has successfully dispatched at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where he placed third last week, the second time in two years.