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
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for shibboleth
The first known use of shibboleth was in 1638
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