SHIBBOLETH Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

shibboleth

[ shib-uh-lith, ‑-��ٳ� ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

shibboleth

/ ˈʃɪ��əˌ��ɛθ /

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belief, principle, or practice which is commonly adhered to but which is thought by some people to be inappropriate or out of date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

shibboleth

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

Discover More

Notes

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

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of shibboleth¹

From Hebrew ��󾱲��ō��ٳ� 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)

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of shibboleth¹

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

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They’re the contrarian at the party who delights in puncturing polite shibboleths, unafraid to take on even their own tribes in pursuit of a deeper truth.

From

This isn’t an expression of fact about the border; it’s a shibboleth, designed to communicate that, all things considered, the chamber is still down with Trump’s leadership in general terms.

From

The anti-vaccine camp has seized on the threadbare shibboleths of “medical freedom” and “health freedom” — or “bodily autonomy,” as Vance put it.

From

In violation of virtually every shibboleth governing the conduct of samurai, her father assassinated a brutal lord for the sake of the realm.

From

The text bristles with shibboleths of the anti-tax movement, for example by blaming higher taxes on “unelected bureaucrats, empowered by politicians and the courts.”

From

Browse