Never mind what the word actually means for a moment, it is time to concentrate on its sound and what those sounds conjure up in your mind when your hear them.

This is nothing to do with brothers and sisters!  Sibilant words are those that are sounded with a hiss.  My favourite words that sound beautiful in this manner are:

Wasps – You have to say it to sense it.   That gentle sounding ..sps  is brilliant.  (I do apologise to anyone that has a serious lisp however because that would be extremely difficult to get to grips with and also makes those in close proximity to the lisper to quickly erect umbrellas or duck for cover!)

Lisp – As mentioned above, an impediment of speech that disenables the speaker from pronouncing the letter S.  Instead the word comes out sounding “th”.  I knew a woman called Mrs Ippey that had all sorts of problems saying her name.

Gossamer – Not only does this word sound soft but the mind’s eye can surely see that downy, spider web-like material, light, floaty, blown away by the gentlest breath.  Linger on the “ss” sound to get the best effect and the “… amer” just tails away into the air.

Aspirate words are those where the sound of one’s breath forms the sound of the word.  Think of the word “where” itself.  It isn’t pronounced “ware” but with an expirated “wha”.  So, “whhh..air”.  Try it.  It’s a much lovelier pronunciation.

My favourite aspirated word, though, is where it is combined with the sibilant to produce Whisper.  You must say this word quietly.  You have no choice.  The onomatopoeic effect and the word-sound leaves one quite in need of a sit down and a gentle cup of Earl Grey.  Golly, I can just feel the little shiver down my spine as someone whispers “whisper” in my ear.

I go all unnecessary!