For the longest time I thought this word had the exact
opposite meaning - an
abundance,
plenty. This resulted in me meaning the opposite of what I said whenever I used the term.
Hilarity ensued when I would compliment the host on the dearth of cute boys at the party, etc...
To this day, when I hear "dearth" I picture a chest or coffer overflowing with stuff.
Did I mention I'm profoundly dyslexic?