This is the Memory Palace. I'm Nate Tomeo.

There is a word in English that is still alive that is spoken ever, merely because it is long.

Anti-disestablishmentarianism is the longest word in English language that isn't a scientific term

or wasn't coined merely in an attempt to make a longer one.

And it is a very English word, rooted in

very English politics to describe the factional opposition to those who in the 19th century

sought to strip the Anglican Church's status as the state church of England, Ireland, and Wales.

An obscure struggle for power settled long ago. It is a word that would have been relegated with little lament to brief mentions and brief

passages in very English theses gathering dust in very English libraries were it not ripe

for rolling out as a fun fact, or issuing as a spelling challenge.

But despite its length, 12 syllables, two more letters than the English alphabet itself, it's not that hard to spell.

You just can't be afraid of it.

Just need to trust your knowledge of the rules of English pronunciation and stay focused

so you can keep your place and not lose your head as you work your way through,

building the word letter by letter by letter.

But that itself can be hard, especially if you are standing in front of your class through, building the word letter by letter by letter.

But that itself can be hard, especially if you are standing in front of your classroom or

on some spelling bee stage, maybe a number on a placard on a piece of yarn strung around

your neck.

Or if you are Gloria Lockerman.

Twelve years old, a student at Booker T. Washington Middle School in a struggling

part of West Baltimore, wearing a pale yellow dress, not that people could tell on their

...