The spelling of the word "dessertspoon" can be a bit confusing due to its pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /dɪˈzɜːtspuːn/. The first syllable is pronounced as "di" with a short "i" sound, followed by the stress on the second syllable pronounced as "zert". The final syllable is pronounced with a long "u" sound, and the "n" at the end is silent. Overall, the word is spelled as "dessertspoon" to reflect its pronunciation and differentiate it from a regular spoon.
A dessertspoon is a common type of kitchen utensil primarily used for serving and consuming desserts. This utensil typically has a long handle with a slightly deep, elliptical or oval-shaped bowl at one end, designed to hold and scoop up small amounts of sweet treats such as puddings, ice cream, or fruit salads.
The dessertspoon is smaller than a tablespoon but larger than a teaspoon, generally measuring around 10 milliliters or 2 teaspoons in volume. It is a versatile instrument that finds its place in both formal dining settings and everyday use, providing convenience and precision when handling sugary delicacies.
Although most dessertspoons are made of metal, such as stainless steel or silver, variations can be found in other materials like plastic or wood. The handle of the dessertspoon is typically slender and easy to grip, allowing for comfortable and controlled handling. The size and shape of the bowl may vary slightly depending on regional preferences, but it is commonly elongated and broader than that of a teaspoon.
The term "dessertspoon" is primarily used in British English, with other English-speaking countries often referring to a similar utensil simply as a tablespoon. However, it is important to note that the measurements and capacity of a dessertspoon differ from the larger tablespoon used for measuring liquids in cooking recipes.
A spoon, larger than a teaspoon but smaller than a tablespoon, holding approximately two fluidrams.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dessertspoon" is derived from the combination of two words: "dessert" and "spoon".
The term "dessert" comes from the Old French word "desservir", which means "to clear the table" or "to serve the removal of dishes". In the late 16th century, it evolved to specifically refer to the course served after the main course of a meal.
The word "spoon" originates from Old English "spon", which came from the Proto-Germanic word "*spenon". This word is related to the Old Norse "spann" and the Dutch "lepel".
When the two words, "dessert" and "spoon", were combined, the term "dessertspoon" was created to refer to a type of spoon specifically used for eating desserts.