dessert

This girl in my English class in seventh grade shared a clever way to remember the spelling difference between dessert and desert: dessert is the stuff you'll want a second helping of, so it's the one with two S's.

Life's uncertain. Eat dessert first.

Des*sert" (?), n. [F., fr. desservir to remove from table, to clear the table; pref. des- (L. dis-) + servir to serve, to serve at table. See Serve.]

A service of pastry, fruits, or sweetmeats, at the close of a feast or entertainment; pastry, fruits, etc., forming the last course at dinner.

"An 't please your honor," quoth the peasant, "This same dessert is not so pleasant." Pope.

Dessert spoon, a spoon used in eating dessert; a spoon intermediate in size between a teaspoon and a tablespoon. -- Dessert-spoonful, n., pl. Dessert-spoonfuls, as much as a dessert spoon will hold, usually reckoned at about two and a half fluid drams.

© Webster 1913.