The /v/ sound is spelled with <v>, <ve> or <vv> in divvies. The /ʃ/ sound is spelled <sh>, <ch> in chalet or <sci> in fascia.
The contrast is between a voiced labio-dental fricative and a voiceless alveolar fricative. The contrast is not a problem for learners.
One mildly taboo pair is vat/shat.
Interesting pairs include:
harvest harshest
marvel marshal
valet chalet
The mean density value is 0.8%. The list makes 32 semantic distinctions, a loading of 64%.
Ave ash crave cr�che divvies dishes divvy dishy favour fascia favours facias halve harsh harvest harshest have hash having hashing haven Haitian havens Haitians lav lash leave leash love lush lover lusher marvel marshal marvelled marshalled marvelling marshalling marvels marshals navvies gnashes Nov nosh plover plusher seven cession sevens cessions V she V's she's vac shack vacs shacks vale shale valet chalet valets chalets vase shahs vat shat veal she'll veer shear veered sheared veering shearing veers shears Verey sherry vie shy vied shied vies shies vying shying vine shine vines shines vinous shyness vole shoal voles shoals vox shocks
Credit: John Higgins