shibboleth

noun

shib·bo·leth | \ ˈshi-bə-ləth also -ˌleth

Definition of shibboleth

1a : 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

2a : 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

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about shibboleth

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Did You Know?

The Bible's Book of Judges (12:4-6) tells the story of the Ephraimites, who, after they were routed by the Gileadite army, tried to retreat by sneaking across a ford of the Jordan River that was held by their enemy. The Gileadites, wary of the ploy, asked every soldier who tried to cross if he was an Ephraimite. When the soldier said "no," he was asked to say "shibboleth" (which means "stream" in Hebrew). Gileadites pronounced the word shibboleth, but Ephramites said "sibboleth." Anyone who left out the initial "sh" was killed on the spot. When English speakers first borrowed "shibboleth," they used it to mean "test phrase," but it has acquired additional meanings since that time.

Examples of shibboleth in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Most Californians may not like President Trump, but his water decision is another case in which his willingness to challenge political shibboleths will help average people. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Trump’s California Water Relief," 19 Oct. 2018 That phrase has become a presidential shibboleth, used by Mr. Trump to disparage news that’s unhelpful to him. — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, "The Enemy of the T-Shirt," 6 Aug. 2018 There’s something of a secret password element to this, a shibboleth that not only marks users of a certain age and experience but unites them. — Laura Hudson, The Verge, "The latest bizarre Simpsons meme is about downloading songs on Limewire," 19 Oct. 2018 O’Neill has frequently been critical of the way that views on the right to die have neatly cleaved along class lines, with a pro-euthanasia stance becoming identified with upper-middle-class, progressive social shibboleths. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "David Goodall’s physician-assisted suicide raises wider questions.," 21 May 2018 Positions on issues like gun control are shibboleths of some of our tribes. — New York Times, "Can I Make My Company Take a Stand on Guns?," 16 May 2018 But, more importantly, the Church of England has, in recent decades, often been accused of being religiously disengaged: a church that is more of a cultural shibboleth than a theologically dynamic religious institution. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Bishop Michael Curry just stole the show with his sermon at the Royal Wedding.," 20 May 2018 Work rules for recipients of public assistance, like drug testing, are conservative shibboleths. — Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, "With food stamp bill, GOP once again promotes work requirements that don't work," 18 Apr. 2018 And that ineffable quality of style makes articles by British or American writers distinct, even in the absence of obvious shibboleths. — The Economist, "Fears of British English’s disappearance are overblown," 20 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shibboleth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.