Even though it may be pronounced like “dessert,” the word that defines a special treat, the common phrase “just deserts” is spelled in quite another way, and it’s got the internet very confused. “Just deserts,” of course, refers to the punishment an individual deserves, which certainly does not consist of a special treat of any kind. And all this time I just took it for granite 😉 — Kenny (@Kenoir2) October 16, 2019I was today years old when I learned that the phrase is "just deserts". https://t.co/2aYn9IGweQ pic.twitter.com/IfdEnnLiBi — Tori Delaine (@reviewer3blog) October 16, 2019English being one of the more illogical languages, “desert” can get pretty tricky. One definition (a sparse land) is pronounced one way, while another definition (to leave) is pronounced another way, and the same as “dessert.”According to Merriam-Webster, both words are etymologically related, but “just deserts” predates “dessert,” which only came into use mid-16th century.

Source: National Post October 23, 2019 19:07 UTC