Entry Word: shibboleth

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product) <we knew that their claim of giving “the best deal in town” was just a shibboleth> — see slogan
2 an idea or expression that has been used by many people <thereʼs a lot of truth in the shibboleth that crime does not pay> — see commonplace