Nuts and Bolts: sigmacism.

 (This is different from astigmatism, which is a fault of the eye which distorts the vision.)

Sigmacism is to do with the non-standard use of the s sound.

It may involve using it more often than most people do (this is often associated with poorly-fitting false teeth and/or drunkenness) or less than most people do (when it tends to be called a lisp).

The great heroine of sigmacism is Violet Elizabeth Bott in Richmal Crompton's William books:

illustration by Thomas Henry

who famously threatens to thcream and thcream until I'm thick. 

If you are presently feeling superior about your own crystalline pronunciation then I suggest you try saying six thick thistle sticks a few times at speed.

Not always so easy, is it?

Word To Use Today: sigmacism. The Greek letter sigma Ʃ is pronounced like the Roman letter S.