Scrabble’s 75th Anniversary Unites Word Warriors

One of the highest scoring words with 1,778 points is ‘oxyphenbutazone,’ an anti-inflammatory drug.

Games such as Scrabble offer a fun way for kids to have fun while growing their vocabulary skills.AlivePhoto/Shutterstock

Scrabble, the iconic word game based on the crossword puzzle and anagrams, celebrated its 75th anniversary this month.

First developed by Mr. Alfred M. Butts in 1931, the game was once known as Criss-Cross and later redesigned, marketed, and renamed as Scrabble by Mr. James Brunot in 1948 on Dec. 1. It debuted on supermarket shelves in Britain in 1954.

Played on a 225-square board, two to four players challenge each other by creating words using lettered tiles.

The words formed by these tiles interconnect on the board, much like a crossword puzzle.

In Australia, the Scrabble scene is vibrant and full of stories. According to the ABC, many Australian players recall how they started playing Scrabble with many introduced to the game by their families.

This sentiment is echoed throughout the community, where Scrabble is not just a game but a bridge connecting generations and friends.

For others, it is a way of life and more than a game; it’s a way to challenge minds and connect with others who share the same passion.

While the Australian Scrabble community celebrates with enthusiasm, New Zealand’s Scrabble whizzes, though not planning any specific celebrations for the 75th anniversary, remain deeply involved in the game.

Valerie Mills, Editor of Forwards Scrabble Magazine gave an insight into the New Zealand Scrabble scene.

“The Tauranga Scrabble club was one of the first formed and is currently one of the larger ones. They run an excellent tournament,” Ms. Mills said.

“Currently we number around 340 registered players, of whom about half play tournaments regularly,” Ms. Mills said.

New Zealand Versus the World

Like Australia’s rich and competitive Scrabble history, New Zealand’s scene dates back to the late 1970s under the New Zealand Association of Scrabble Players (NZASPA).

NZASPA has made a mark on the international stage, consistently participating in the World Scrabble Championship and hosting events like the Trans-Tasman Challenge.

The association said they have consistently sent teams, comprising three to six players, to every World Scrabble Championship. For several years, they even competed in the top division of Michael Tang’s Causeway SCRABBLE Challenge.

Additionally, they host the Trans-Tasman Challenge every four years, a biennial competition that pits the best players from Australia and New Zealand against each other.

Initially, this challenge used a unique ‘dingle’ rule, a mix of Australia’s single challenge and New Zealand’s double challenge system.

Notably, they organised the fifth World Seniors Championship tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand over three days in November 2023, a milestone NZASPA has been proud of organising aside from the Trans-Tasman matches.

The organisation welcomed senior players from across the globe to experience the region’s hospitality, enjoy exquisite wine and food, and explore stunning tourist destinations.

The NZASPA has been proactive in promoting Scrabble, as Ms. Mills said, “For many years, we have promoted ourselves our website and Forwords, a quarterly printed and digital newsletter.”

“This effort ensures that the game remains accessible and engaging for new and veteran players alike.”