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I'm bemused by the inability of TV presenters to pronounce the letter "x" as in "six", introducing a "k" in its place (so six is pronounced as "sick", sixth as "sickth"). The same also tend to omit entirely the second "f" in "fifth", making do with "fith". The presenters are all British.

I find this irritating. Is there any good reason for it?

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    What nationality do you think the presenter is of? What channel or show are you referring to?
    – NVZ ♦
    Commented Mar 1, 2017 at 13:21
  • I've never noticed this
    – Chris M
    Commented Mar 1, 2017 at 13:23
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    What do you mean by "introducing" a "k"? The standard pronunciation of the word "six" already contains a /k/ sound. Do you mean they drop the /s/ after it, making it sound like "sick"? I've never heard that, although I have heard people drop the /s/ from "sixth"
    – herisson
    Commented Mar 1, 2017 at 13:24
  • Six is pronounces as sick, sixth as sickth, fifth as fith. The presenters are all British.
    – Trampas
    Commented Mar 1, 2017 at 13:31
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    The slurring may be deliberate to balance speed with clarity. By the time the broadcaster slows down for sikSth and fiFth, most viewers will have changed channels. So a quick flick may do the trick.
    – Yosef Baskin
    Commented Mar 1, 2017 at 20:10

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