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Here Are the 10 Words New Jersey Residents Can’t Spell

Is spelling a lost skill due to spellcheck? The answer is no. Good spelling is definitely a great skill to posses. It might seem like a thing of the past,…

Stressed business woman working at office on laptop and document, looking worried, tired and overwhelmed.

Getty Images / nathaphat

Getty Images / nathaphat

Is spelling a lost skill due to spellcheck? The answer is no. Good spelling is definitely a great skill to posses. It might seem like a thing of the past, but knowing how to spell can really help one's writing and reading skills. But, of course, some words are just darn difficult to spell. So, here are 10 words New Jersey residents can't spell. Check to see if you have trouble spelling any of them.

National Dictionary Day is coming up on Oct. 16, and the crew at Betway has done some research on which words people in each state struggle to spell the most. They looked up search data when people also searched for "how to spell." So, what are the 10 words that we residents struggle to spell the most? These might not be surprising. The words are as follows:

Words New Jersey Residents Can't Spell

Cancelled
Grey
Bougie
Sincerely
Lose
Fifteen
Breathe
Neighbor
Decision
Character

Honestly, some of those can be challenging words. There are a few that have me scratching my head, like, how do people not know how to spell that? But, a few of those words are hazy. I do think that we're smarty pants in this state, so I'm glad no really easy words were in here. For example, I was bracing myself for people not being able to spell "boat" or "dog" or something silly like that.

National Dictionary Day commemorates the birthday of Noah Webster. According to Nationaldaycalendar.com, "In 1806, American Noah Webster published his first dictionary, A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language. Webster immediately began compiling an expanded and fully comprehensive dictionary, An American Dictionary of the English Language in 1807; it took twenty-seven years to complete." Moreover, they add that to evaluate the etymology of words, Webster learned a whopping 26 languages. Those included Old English (Anglo-Saxon), German, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Arabic and Sanskrit."

In our busy lives, it often feels like we spend more time in the office than at home. Work can get crazy, and sometimes, our manners take a back seat. Workplace etiquette is all about how we act and interact at work, from how we dress to how we chat with our colleagues or handle shared spaces. With evolving ideas about work and shifting societal norms, office etiquette can sometimes be confusing. Regardless of cultural variations, maintaining basic office etiquette is a way to show respect for the people we work with and the job we do together.

Good Office Etiquette

Good office etiquette covers a lot, especially given the changes in how we work in recent years, including remote setups and virtual communication. Going the extra mile sometimes means arriving a bit early, depending on your job and office culture. It's a signal to your boss that you're a go-getter.

Many offices are shared spaces, so cleaning up after yourself is a big deal. It helps you get along with your colleagues. Additionally, looking sharp and presentable is important unless you're in a super relaxed work setting that embraces flip-flops and t-shirts. This etiquette applies to everything, from weekly meetings with the boss to work parties.

It's also wise to be ready to share your thoughts when your boss asks for input in meetings. It's a chance to showcase your engagement and professionalism, contributing to productive discussions and decision-making.

While office etiquette training typically covers professional boundaries related to issues like gender, religion, and sexuality, it’s essential to respect your colleagues' time and personal space.

Just as there's good workplace etiquette, there are some things you should avoid. Mastering office etiquette might not be rocket science, but it's the key to a pleasant and productive work environment. It's about showing respect for your fellow workers and understanding the shared spaces where you all spend so much time.

To help you avoid these potential pitfalls, we've compiled a list of office behaviors you should avoid.

Oversharing Too Much Personal Information

At the office, it's usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you're in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it's an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don't hesitate to let the right people know.

Businessman looking at co-worker talking on telephone

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Unspoken Office Food Rules

In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it's just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it's a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else's food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don't forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn't pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it's popping.

Woman office worker holding breath, pinching her nose with fingers, confused with disgusted odor.

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Personal Grooming

While it's great to stay fresh and clean at work, you'd typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.

Woman cleaning cuticles with cuticle pusher

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Unnecessary Noise

In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It's a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.

Young professional woman singing loudly enough to annoy a colleague

CREATISTA/ Getty Images

Messy Workspace

Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn't want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.

Stressed businessman holding his head in his hands

thodonal/ Getty Images

Poor Hygiene

Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it's all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.

Man showing a sweaty and stinky underarm

AntonioGuillem/ Getty Images

Personal Space & Boundaries

Whether you're in an open office or a cubicle doesn't matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues' belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.

Mature and young businessmen discussing during meeting in boardroom. Business executive working with apprentice in creative office. Multiethnic business team in smart casual with partner working together on laptop.

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Overdoing It With Foul Language

While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can't predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it's a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It's just safer and smoother that way.

Businesswoman screaming hysterically at computer monitor in office. Shocked woman financial mistake bad news and online blackout

megaflopp/ Getty Images

Leaving It How You Found It

Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it's a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It's a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.

stress young asian businesswoman looking at paper stuck in printer at office

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Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.