JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<select description="cars">
  <option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
  <option value="saab">Saab</option>
  <option value="opel">Opel</option>
  <option value="audi">Audi</option>
</select>
</body>
</html>

JavaScript

var watermark = $('select').attr('description');
$('select')
    .prepend('<option class="watermark">'+watermark+'</option>')
     .mousedown(function(){$('.watermark',this).remove();$(this).off('mousedown')})
    .find('option:eq(0)').prop('selected','true');