“Lisping” is a gerund form of the verb “lisp.” To “lisp” means to pronounce words with difficulty, particularly when there is a difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds, such as “s” and “z,” resulting in a distortion or alteration of speech. A person who lisps may have difficulty producing these sounds correctly.
Lisping can occur for various reasons, including developmental factors in children or as a result of certain speech disorders or oral issues. Speech therapy is often used to help individuals overcome lisping and improve their pronunciation.
In a broader sense, “lisp” can also be used metaphorically to describe any speech impediment or difficulty in articulating words clearly, even if it doesn’t involve the specific “s” and “z” sounds.