shibboleth

shibboleth

noun

Definition of SHIBBOLETH

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>

Synonyms banner, catchphrase, cry, shibboleth, tagline, watchword

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

2

an idea or expression that has been used by many people <there's a lot of truth in the shibboleth that if you give some people an inch, they'll take a mile>

Synonyms banality, bromide, chestnut, cliché (also cliche), groaner, homily, platitude, shibboleth, trope, truism

Related Words conventional wisdom, party line, routine; inanity; generality, generalization, simplification; adage, proverb, saw, saying; old wives' tale, stereotype

Near Antonyms profundity