Random Daily Banter

[Pross]

Despite its pronunciation, just deserts, with one s, is the proper spelling for the phrase meaning "the punishment that one deserves." The phrase is even older than dessert, using an older noun version of desert meaning "deserved reward or punishment," which is spelled like the arid land, but pronounced like the sweet treat.

Based on the way the second word in just deserts (“the punishment that one deserves”) is pronounced one would be forgiven for imagining that it came about in reference to some form of discipline involving custards, cookies, or petits fours. It might even make one wonder why there are not other meal-based forms of chastisement in our language; why no deserved breakfasts, no requisite lunches, no warranted teas? Because it’s not that kind of dessert.

Learn something new every day

 

[briantrumpet]

Scurrying done, and alternative meaning and pronunciation of 'desert' confirmed. I'm guessing I've never written it down or been corrected on it. Haha, glad I didn't 'correct' the Bluesky post, my ignorance being displayed only on NCAP.

 

[briantrumpet]

I shall now have to quiz friends and pupils to see who else knows. Obvs.

 

[secretsqirrel]

Despite its pronunciation, just deserts, with one s, is the proper spelling for the phrase meaning "the punishment that one deserves." The phrase is even older than dessert, using an older noun version of desert meaning "deserved reward or punishment," which is spelled like the arid land, but pronounced like the sweet treat.

Based on the way the second word in just deserts (“the punishment that one deserves”) is pronounced one would be forgiven for imagining that it came about in reference to some form of discipline involving custards, cookies, or petits fours. It might even make one wonder why there are not other meal-based forms of chastisement in our language; why no deserved breakfasts, no requisite lunches, no warranted teas? Because it’s not that kind of dessert.

Oooh. I just had a flashback to Reginald Perrin.. “Are we getting our just desserts” seminar.

 

[Ian H]

I thought it best not to point out it's not terribly clever to misspell 'desserts'.

View attachment 17787

Supplementary question: why is 'desserts', with a double S, still pronounced with a Z sound?

 

[briantrumpet]

Supplementary question: why is 'desserts', with a double S, still pronounced with a Z sound?

Laziness of English speakers, I suspect.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Supplementary question: why is 'desserts', with a double S, still pronounced with a Z sound?

Everyone knows it should be pronounced deshert.. as in pressure, fissure...or even as possessionless.

 

[briantrumpet]

Laziness of English speakers, I suspect.

Having consulted the OED, and as it comes from the French, yup, I'd put it down to laziness, as it's easier not to stop the vocal cords momentarily.

 

[Ian H]

Having consulted the OED, and as it comes from the French, yup, I'd put it down to laziness, as it's easier not to stop the vocal cords momentarily.

Now do lose and loose.

 

[briantrumpet]

Now do lose and loose.

Well, I've got nothing to loos.

 

[briantrumpet]

Since you asked, Mr H

lose:

loose (which has never has a voiced S, because of its etymology, and there's no voiced vowel after it):

 

[AndyRM]

Now do lose and loose.

See what you've started?!

 

[briantrumpet]

Just in case you are making a TV programme for broadcast over the airwaves, Ofcom has some handy guidance just updated for you hepcats.

 

[Pross]

What about daffodil? It doesn’t get mentioned at all.

 

[Ian H]

I'd love to see the minutes of the meeting that came up with those lists.