This is definitely meant to embarrass people.

I suspect the best you can do is ask the standard spelling bee questions (e.g., ask for the etymology and for them to use it in a sentence). In this case, their sentence will probably be pretty outrageous. I had to look it up, but diverticulitis is a "small, bulging sacs or pouches of the inner lining of the intestine (diverticulosis) that become inflamed or infected."

After that, I'd totally botch the spelling but hopefully have enough poise to laugh it off.

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3 of 4 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Paul:

I'd-u-s-e-s-p-e-l-l-c-h-e-c-k

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1 of 1 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Art:

@GBAD - Yes! I thought the same. This one begs for a follow-up question delivered with a smile, "Thank you. Can you use it in a sentence?".

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2 of 2 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Danna:

The word in the original question is spelled wrong. It doesn't start with an "i".

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4 of 5 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Vince:

@Danna
It does if it's an iOS app designed for those who suffer from diverticulitis!

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2 of 2 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Harrison:

diverticulitis

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1 of 1 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Anonymous:

diverticulitis... I'm a nurse. Got this one.

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0 of 0 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Mr Guy:

You dont that word doesnt exist. Remove the i and there is a word you might be speaking of. "Am I being interviewed as a replacement because you cant spell?"

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1 of 1 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by Paul:

Me: "B, R, O, C, K, L, E, S, N, A, R"
Interviewer: Brock Lesnar?
Me: Yes, just like Lou Gehrig's disease is a stand in for ALS.

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Jan 10, 2012

by Paneksipni:

de
i
vee
e
ar
tee
i
cee
you
el
i
tee
i
es

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0 of 0 people found this helpful

Jan 10, 2012

by JC:

D-I-verticulitis

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Jan 11, 2012

by bjohnson:

I like Paul's answer the BEST!!! s-p-e-l-l-c-h-e-c-k !!! It's a bit snarky; but unless you're seriously interviewing as a medical publishing editor, it begs the question... and this applies to the job ... how?

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Jan 24, 2012

by Jack:

I'm just not understanding the relevance of this question?

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Jan 29, 2012

by Vlad:

My native language is phonetical so I don't spell, but I can write it down for you.
Is that OK?

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0 of 0 people found this helpful

Mar 7, 2012

by Bee Kay:

Not only could I spell it, I could give them a lesson on what my grandmother had to deal with from this issue!

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0 of 0 people found this helpful

May 5, 2012

by phaethon:

diverticulitis.......no problem I am Greek !

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May 8, 2012

by Stephanie:

My imaginary response: The version that is spelled i-c-a-n't-d-o-t-h-i-s originating from America or the version that is spelled n-o-w-a-y-j-o-s-é originating from Spain? It's like the word doughnut or donut.

I would actually try my best, but I hate spelling out loud. For everyone who doesn't get this, they're trying to see how well rounded you are and/or if you can improvise when you're stuck.

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Interview Question for Account Manager at EMSI Engineering:

Please spell "idiverticulitis".

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