Stylish Spelling Bee Asks Students To Spell Guayabera, Internet Is Like “What The Hell Is That?”

Among the words students were asked to spell during the 2009 Spelling Bee championship round were isagoge, sophrosyne, bouquiniste and… guayabera. (None of which spellcheck recognized,  BTDubs.) We’ve never thought of guayabera as being particularly difficult to spell. Then again, it’s a word we’ve grown up with. So we found it a tad funny that it’s, like, hard word, hard word, hard word, word in Spaaaaaaaanish. 

So, anyway, for everyone who is fervently attempting to figure out what this wild and crazy word means, here’s a primer:

Guayaberas are found scattered throughout hot, muggy Latin American countries as well as in some parts of Asia and Africa, although we personally associate them with Cuba (where - fun fact - clothing was first invented). Wikipedia has this to say on the topic of the shirts’ origins:

Alternative theories have held that Mexicans either copied the design concept from the “El Encanto” store of Cuba, or emulated the trend from Cuban tourists who visited Mexico.

The origin of the name Guayabera may come from a Cuban legend that tells of a poor countryside seamstress sewing large pockets into her husband’s shirts for carrying guava (guayabas) from the field. Guayabera may also have originated from the word yayabero, the word for a person who lived near the Yayabo River in Cuba.

The shirts are generally made of light weight, airy linen, with various buttoned pockets over “alforzas” - twin rows of ten tiny pleats. Traditionally worn in white, guayaberas are now available in a variety of garish, awful colors and in numerous styles, including sleeveless and as dresses for women. 

Although the guayabera is usually worn untucked and associated with casual wear, it can be worn to formal events like weddings and Communions as well as, in some places, as office attire. 

The best place to purchase a guayabera, besides from an old woman who makes them in her house, is at La Casa de las Guayaberas in Miami.

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