A man of many words

Brian Sietsema, the pronouncer and word expert for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, has identified "akimbo" as his favorite word. His fascination with "akimbo" began in third grade when he encountered it in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall." The word, describing a stance with hands on hips and elbows outward, was not found in his family's dictionary, nor did it stump his parents or teachers. Sietsema pursued the meaning for years, eventually discovering its definition in college. This early linguistic puzzle influenced his career path, leading him to become both a linguist and a Greek Orthodox priest. The Scripps National Spelling Bee is recognized as a prestigious spelling competition globally, relying on Sietsema for accurate pronunciation and etymological information.