Indian-origin Shrey Parikh aces ‘cywyddau’ at Scripps National Spelling Bee, rare Welsh word leaves internet baffled and searching for meaning

The winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee may have walked away with the trophy, but one unusual entry from the competition has quietly taken over online conversations for a very different reason.

Indian-origin contestant Shrey Parikh drew attention for his strong performance throughout the event, but it was his confident spelling of a lesser-known term, “cywyddau,” that sparked widespread curiosity beyond the stage. Within hours of clips circulating online, viewers began asking a simple question: what does it actually mean?

What started as a routine spelling moment quickly turned into a viral talking point, with reactions ranging from memes to genuine attempts to understand the word. While Parikh handled it with ease, many online users admitted they were struggling not only with its spelling but also even with its pronunciation.

The word everyone is talking about

During the competition, Parikh was given the word “cywyddau,” which immediately stood out for its unusual spelling and unfamiliar sound for global audiences.

As the clip spread across social media, the term became a curiosity trigger, drawing surprise, jokes, and countless searches online.

What does ‘cywyddau’ mean?

According to Merriam-Webster, “cywyddau” refers to a Welsh verse form written in couplets or sometimes triplets, using rhyme and a complex system known as cynghanedd.

The dictionary explains it as a poetic structure made up of 7-syllable lines with alternating stress patterns and intricate internal sound patterns.

An example provided describes it as a Welsh poem attributed to Hopkins.

A poetic form with deep roots

The term is tied to a long-standing Welsh literary tradition.

Britannica traces the form back to 14th-century South Wales, developed by poet Dafydd ap Gwilym. It notes that the cywydd became a dominant verse style from the 14th to the early 17th century, reaching its peak between the mid-14th and mid-15th centuries.

Over time, its strict structural rules also became more rigid, influencing how poets expressed creativity within its format.

Social media reactions

Once the clip went viral, social media users quickly turned the word into a source of humour and curiosity.

One user wrote, “Did he just throw letters?”

Another commented, “I can’t even pronounce ‘cywyddau’ in my head, let alone spell it.”

Others joked, “Cywyddau: a very aggressive sneeze.”

The reactions helped push the word further into trending conversations.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and online reactions. Thumb image: X