shibboleth

noun

shib·​bo·​leth ˈshi-bə-ləth 

 also  -ˌleth

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

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 shibbōleth (which means "stream" in Hebrew). Gileadites pronounced the word "shibboleth," but Ephramites said "sibboleth." Anyone who didn't pronounce 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.

Synonyms

• banner
• catchphrase
• cry
• slogan
• tagline
• watchword

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

As far back as 2015, when all of Washington was under the influence of unfettered free-trade shibboleths, Trump warned about the dangers of economic dependencies, built up over decades of liberalization, that could be exploited for geopolitical leverage. —Andrew Byers, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2024

One by one, the shibboleths that our public-health authorities put forward as reliable guidelines for behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic are being revealed as scientifically baseless health theater. —The Editors, National Review, 17 May 2024

But for those who remain beholden to the shibboleths that once justified that act of national self-harm, the Times’ acknowledgment of the obvious might be valuable. —The Editors, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024

Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies. —WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

shibboleth

noun

shib·​bo·​leth ˈshib-ə-ləth 

 also  -ˌleth

1

a

: a slogan especially of a party or group

b

: an idea or saying that is commonly believed

2

: some behavior or use of language that identifies a person as belonging to a group