2007-11-01 13:27:46 · 4 answers · asked by Crawf 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Spelling bee contest is tautological
2007-11-01 13:41:35 · answer #1 · answered by The old man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, but it's not necessarily a POINTLESS redundancy.
A "bee" is a group activity. It is not equivalent to "contest", though it may often include that element, as a spelling bee does, but a quilting bee usually does not.
So adding "contest" can specify or emphasize that element. For instance, an informal spelling bee in a school class is not necessarily quite the "contest" some big hosted regional, state or national competition with prizes, etc. Adding "competition" or "contest" also may emphasize the aspect of going up against OTHER contestants/competitors.
(By the way, I think you're more likely to find the expression "spelling bee COMPETITION" than "...contest").
2007-11-02 07:31:03 · answer #2 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is redundant. It's like saying "wet water."
2007-11-01 20:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by William H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is
2007-11-01 20:30:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋