Spelling Bee

[kahunabean]

Why is it a spelling 'bee' ?

[Quizmonster]

A 'bee', in this sense - so-called after the social, hard-working nature of the insect itself - was a gathering of people, generally neighbours in the USA, to carry out some general task. Thus, you could have quilting-bees, apple-bees (to bring in the fruit from each other's orchards) and so on. A spelling-bee is just such a gathering to compete over who can spell best.

[football]

All of the above from quizmonster & you get 'stung' if you use the wrong spelling. The difference between B, be & bee. or there, they're or their.