But yesterday, it was very relevant for the John McGlashan year 9 pupil, because it was the word he spelt correctly to win the New Zealand Vegemite Lower South Island Regional Spelling Bee at Otago Boys High School.
He went head-to-head with 50 year 9 competitors from secondary schools south of Oamaru, and the only other contestant who looked like taking the prize from him was Akib Khan of James Hargest College in Invercargill.
Ironically, it was the word "commiserate" which tripped him up and handed first prize to Ian.
Both pupils will represent the region at the national final in Wellington on March 20.
The national winner will compete at the 83rd Annual Scripps-Howard United States Spelling Bee in Washington DC in June.
