shibboleth

shib·bo·leth

noun \ˈshi-bə-ləth also -ˌleth\

Definition of SHIBBOLETH

1

a : a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usually regarded by others as empty of real meaning <the old shibboleths come rolling off their lips — Joseph Epstein>

b : a widely held belief <today this book publishing shibboleth is a myth — L. A. Wood>

c : truism, platitude <some truth in the shibboleth that crime does not pay — Lee Rogow>

2

a : a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular group <accent was…a shibboleth of social class — Vivian Ducat>

b : a custom or usage regarded as distinguishing one group from others <for most of the well-to-do in the town, dinner was a shibboleth, its hour dividing mankind — Osbert Sitwell>

Examples of SHIBBOLETH

1. She repeated the old shibboleth that time heals all wounds.
2. <we knew that their claim of giving “the best deal in town” was just a shibboleth>

Origin of SHIBBOLETH

Hebrew shibbōleth stream; from the use of this word in Judg 12:6 as a test to distinguish Gileadites from Ephraimites

First Known Use: 1638

Related to SHIBBOLETH

Synonyms

banner, catchphrase, cry, slogan, tagline, watchword

Related Words

expression, idiom; catchword, cliché (also cliche); maxim, motto; battle cry, war cry

Near Antonyms

profundity

Rhymes with SHIBBOLETH

Ashtoreth, baby's breath, crystal meth, hold one's breath, in one breath, isopleth, life-and-death, living death, megadeath, morning breath, out of breath, sudden death, waste one's breath, wrongful death