We consider the form of the chiral-symmetry-breaking piece of the effe
ctive potential in the linear sigma model. Surprisingly, it allows for
a second local minimum at both zero and finite temperatures. Even tho
ugh chiral symmetry is not exact, and therefore is not restored in a t
rue phase transition at finite temperature, this second minimum can ne
vertheless mimic many of the effects of a first-order phase transition
. We derive a lower limit on the height of the second minimum relative
to the global minimum based on cosmological considerations; this limi
t is so weak as to be practically nonexistent. In high energy nuclear
collisions, it may lead to observable effects in Bose-Einstein interfe
rometry due to domain walls and to coherent pion emission.