shibboleth

[ shib-uh-lith, ‐leth ]

See synonyms for shibboleth on Thesaurus.com

noun

a peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons.
a slogan; catchword.

a common saying or belief with little current meaning or truth.

Origin of shibboleth

From Hebrew shibbōleth literally, “freshet,” a word used by the Gileadites as a test to detect the fleeing Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the sound sh (Judges 12:4–6)

Words Nearby shibboleth

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shibboleth in a sentence

We often hear the old shibboleth that “we’re fighting them abroad, so we won’t have to fight them at home.”
We Have No Idea What We're Fighting For Anymore | Karl Marlantes | August 26, 2021 | Time
Herzog was never just a novel; from the beginning it was a symbol, a crucible, a shibboleth.
American Dreams: Saul Bellow’s Masterpiece of Lamentation | Nathaniel Rich | July 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In all large towns a few of this complexion may be found; and in Preston odd ones exist whose shibboleth is “Christian Brethren.”
Our Churches and Chapels | Atticus
And the Spaniard, as he uttered this emphatic shibboleth, gnashed his teeth with vexation.
The Tiger Hunter | Mayne Reid
Why is a gentleman of property to be kept out in the cold by some O'Mullins because he will not mutter an unmeaning shibboleth?
The Prime Minister | Anthony Trollope

And the physical Hakim could by no test or shibboleth be prevented from silently introducing the spiritual Hakim.
The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 1 (2 vols) | Thomas De Quincey
She had none of the shibboleth spirit that leads certain people to die or slay for a pronunciation.
The Cup of Fury | Rupert Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for shibboleth

shibboleth

/ (ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ) /

noun

a belief, principle, or practice which is commonly adhered to but which is thought by some people to be inappropriate or out of date
a custom, phrase, or use of language that acts as a test of belonging to, or as a stumbling block to becoming a member of, a particular social class, profession, etc

Origin of shibboleth

C14: from Hebrew, literally: ear of grain; the word is used in the Old Testament by the Gileadites as a test word for the Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the sound sh

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for shibboleth

shibboleth

[ (shib-uh-luhth, shib-uh-leth) ]

In the Old Testament, shibboleth was a password used by the Israelites. It was chosen because their enemies could not pronounce it.

Notes for shibboleth

By extension, a shibboleth is an often-repeated slogan. It also means an arbitrary test to prove membership in a group.

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