discreet / discrete
One means subtle. One means separate. The vowels swap.
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Wrong: Be discrete about the layoffs.
Right: Be discreet about the layoffs.
Subtle, tactful. The two Es sit together.
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Wrong: Three discreet phases.
Right: Three discrete phases.
Separate and countable. The Es are separated.
The mnemonic
In discrete, the two Es are separated by the T—and discrete means separated.
In discreet, the Es huddle together, keeping quiet, which is what being discreet is.
It’s a stupid mnemonic and it works permanently, which is the only test that matters.
Where it bites
Technical writing is full of discrete values, discrete events, discrete components—all correctly spelled with the split Es. Spellcheck accepts both, so the wrong one ships silently into documentation and stays there.
Now go separate your Es.