National Just Desserts Day

A group of people enjoying a variety of mouth-watering desserts with colorful toppings, surrounded by a cozy cafe atmosphere and vintage decor..
National just desserts day illustration

Hey there, sweet tooth! Get ready to satisfy your dessert cravings because it's National Just Desserts Day!

When is Just Desserts Day?

It's national just desserts day on the 15th October.


The Origin of National Just Desserts Day

Do you know why we have this delightful celebration? Well, you're in for a treat! National Just Desserts Day originated from the internet's love for all things sugary and sinful. It's a day dedicated to indulging in those mouthwatering treats that make life just a little bit sweeter.

Back in 2016, the internet exploded with excitement over National Just Desserts Day. Social media was buzzing with pictures of mouthwatering pies, cakes, and pastries, as people celebrated their favorite sweet treats. The day quickly gained popularity and has been celebrated annually ever since.

Celebrating National Just Desserts Day

So, how do you celebrate this delicious day? Well, the options are as endless as the dessert menu at your favorite restaurant! You can whip up some homemade treats and share them with your loved ones. Gather your friends and have a dessert potluck, where everyone brings their specialty. It's a great way to expand your dessert horizons and discover new favorites.

If you're not much of a baker, don't fret! Head out to your favorite bakery or dessert shop and treat yourself to something decadent. Now is the perfect time to indulge in that slice of creamy cheesecake or that ooey-gooey chocolate fudge brownie you've been eyeing all week.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the famous dessert, Banoffee Pie, was invented in England in the early 1970s? It's a scrumptious combination of banana, toffee, and whipped cream piled high on a buttery graham cracker crust. So next time you're craving something sweet, give Banoffee Pie a try! It's a dessert fit for royalty.



History behind the term 'Just Desserts'


1590

Shakespeare coins the phrase

In 1590, William Shakespeare used the phrase 'just desserts' in his play 'The Merchant of Venice'. The line goes: 'How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears: Soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold. There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st But in his motion like an angel sings, Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins. Such harmony is in immortal souls; But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn: With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear, And draw her home with music.' Thus while describing the harmony between music and the nighttime ambiance, Shakespeare uses the phrase 'just desserts' to portray the sweet harmony that exists in the world.


1599

Introduction of 'just desserts'

The term 'just desserts' was first introduced in 1599 by William Shakespeare in his play 'As You Like It.' In Act II, Scene VII, Jaques utters the famous line, 'O, sir, we quarrel in print, by the book; as you have books for good manners. I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct. All these you may avoid but the Lie Direct; and you may avoid that too with an If. I knew when seven justices could not take up a quarrel, but when the parties were met themselves, one of them thought but of an If, as, 'If you said so, then I said so.' And they shook hands and swore brothers. Your If is the only peacemaker; much virtue in If.' This passage is the first known use of the term 'just desserts' to refer to the punishment or reward that one deserves.


1539

Introduction of the term 'just desserts'

The term 'just desserts' was first introduced in 1539 in an English translation of a Latin work called 'A Glasse of Truthe', written by John Frith. In this work, he used the phrase 'deserts' to refer to what is deserved or merited by a person's actions. Over time, the term 'deserts' morphed into 'desserts', and the phrase 'just desserts' came into usage as a way to describe someone receiving what they deserve.



1599

Origin of 'just'

The term 'just' comes from the Latin word 'iustus', which means 'right' or 'equitable'. It was commonly used to refer to actions or decisions that were fair and in accordance with the law.


14th century

Emergence of 'just' and 'deserts'

In the 14th century, two English words began to emerge with meanings that would eventually contribute to the phrase 'just desserts.' The word 'just' adopted the sense of 'exactly' or 'precisely,' originating from the Latin word 'iustus.' Additionally, 'deserts,' derived from the Old French word 'deservir,' meant 'to deserve' or 'to merit.' These meanings would later combine to form the basis of the idiom.


16th century

Evolution of 'deserts' and 'deserve'

By the 16th century, 'deserts' had transformed into 'desserts' due to an Old French sound shift. However, in the context of the idiom, 'desserts' does not refer to the sweet course after a meal, as one might expect. Instead, 'desserts' is an archaic form of the word 'deserves,' originating from the same root as the French 'deservir.' Similarly, 'deserve' evolved from 'deserveir' in Old French.



1845

Punning on desserts

In 1845, the phrase 'just desserts' began to be used in puns and wordplay. It was often confused with the term 'just deserts', which means receiving what one deserves. However, clever writers and speakers started using 'just desserts' as a playful pun, referring to sweet treats or dishes. This pun was a deliberate combination of the words 'just' (meaning fair) and 'desserts' (meaning sweet treats), adding an element of humor to the phrase.


c. 1700s

Evolution of the term's spelling and meaning

Over time, the spelling of 'just desserts' changed to 'just deserts' to align with the French word 'deserts,' meaning 'deserved reward or punishment.' The term also gained a more widely understood meaning, referring to the idea that people ultimately receive what they deserve based on their actions or behavior. Despite the change in spelling, the pronunciation remained the same.


1675

Popularization of the term

The term 'just desserts' gained popularity in the late 17th century with the publication of a book called 'The History and Antiquities of the Ancient and Modern State of the Parish of Croydon' by John Aubrey. In this book, Aubrey used the term to describe a situation where someone receives their deserved punishment or reward. This usage helped bring the term into common vernacular.



1604

Usage of 'due desert'

The phrase 'due desert' started to gain popularity during this time. 'Due' means 'owed' or 'deserved', while 'desert' is derived from the Old French word 'deservir', meaning 'to deserve'. Combined, the phrase conveys the idea of receiving what is rightfully earned or deserved.


17th century

First documented use of 'just desserts'

The earliest documented use of the phrase 'just desserts' in its modern sense can be found in the play 'The Tempest' written by William Shakespeare in 1611. The character Antonio speaks the line, 'And in such cases, men's natures wrangle with Out distinction, possessed, indeed, by your Just Deserts,' which indicates the concept of receiving fair or deserved consequences.


1710

Emergence of 'desserts' as rewards

In the early 18th century, 'desserts' began to be associated with rewards or treats given to someone after a meal. These treats were seen as a well-deserved conclusion to a good meal, reaffirming the idea of receiving something that is earned or deserved.



19th century

Popularity and diversification of usage

During the 19th century, the term 'just deserts' gained popularity and started appearing in various literary works, signifying the concept of receiving what one deserves. It became a common phrase in legal contexts, emphasizing the principle of fairness in punishing or rewarding individuals for their actions. The term also found its way into everyday language and became recognized as a proverbial expression.


19th century

Influence on legal and moral discussions

During the 19th century, the term 'just desserts' became widely used in legal and moral discussions. It was often invoked to emphasize the idea that people should receive consequences directly proportionate to their actions. The term became deeply embedded in discussions about fairness and the concept of retribution.


1901

The phrase solidifies

By the early 20th century, the term 'just desserts' became firmly established in popular culture. It was often used in literature, magazines, and newspapers, as well as in everyday conversations. The phrase evolved to represent the idea of getting what one deserves in a fair and satisfying manner. The pronunciation of the phrase changed over time, with 'desserts' being pronounced like 'deserts' (similar to the arid land), further emphasizing the pun and adding another layer of intrigue to the term.



19th century

Popularization and widespread usage

During the 19th century, the phrase 'just desserts' gained popularity and began to be used more frequently in literature and everyday speech. Its usage became a way to express the concept of receiving deserved outcomes or consequences. Over time, the phrase solidified in its spelling as 'just desserts,' despite originating from 'just deserts.' The modern spelling also helped differentiate it from the sweet treats known as 'desserts,' which have no direct connection to the idiom.


1771

'just desserts' appears in writing

The phrase 'just desserts' first appeared in print in the book 'The Sense of the Sleight-of-Hand Man' by Johann Bernhard Basedow. In this work, 'just desserts' was used metaphorically to refer to the consequences or rewards that one receives based on their actions.


20th century

Adoption into modern English

In the 20th century, 'just deserts' was further adopted into modern English and became an idiomatic expression used in a broader sense beyond legal contexts. It became a popular saying, often employed to suggest that someone has faced appropriate consequences for their actions, either positive or negative. The spelling 'just desserts' also resurfaced, creating some variation in usage.



20th century

Expansion into popular culture

In the 20th century, the term 'just desserts' found its way into popular culture. It became a popular phrase in literature, appearing in various novels, plays, and poems. Additionally, the term was frequently used in television shows and movies to convey the idea of poetic justice. Its usage in popular culture further solidified its place in the English language.


Present

Continued usage and cultural impact

Today, 'just desserts' or 'just deserts' remains a well-known phrase that has made its way into popular culture. It is frequently used in media, literature, and everyday conversations to convey the concept of fairness and the idea that one ultimately receives what they deserve. The phrase has become deeply ingrained in the English language, serving as a reminder that actions have consequences.


Present day

Continued usage and understanding

Today, 'just desserts' remains a commonly understood phrase, although its origins and spelling may not be immediately clear to everyone. The idiom is often used in conversations and writing to emphasize the notion that people ultimately experience the consequences they deserve, whether positive or negative, based on their actions or behavior.



Present day

Continued usage and variation

Today, the term 'just desserts' is still commonly used in everyday language. It has retained its original meaning of receiving what is deserved, often with a connotation of poetic justice. Variations of the term, such as 'getting your just deserts' or 'getting what's coming to you,' are also commonly heard. 'Just desserts' has become a well-known idiom, bringing to mind the idea of fairness and the consequences of one's actions.


1845

'just desserts' becomes popularized

The phrase 'just desserts' gained further popularity in the 19th century. It was commonly used in literature and conversation to convey the idea of receiving fair or appropriate consequences for one's actions. The metaphorical usage of the term solidified its meaning in popular culture.


Did you know?

Did you know that the famous dessert, Banoffee Pie, was invented in England in the early 1970s? It's a scrumptious combination of banana, toffee, and whipped cream piled high on a buttery graham cracker crust.

Tagged

food fun loved ones

First identified

14th October 2016

Most mentioned on

15th October 2016

Total mentions

14

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