shibboleth definition - Dictionary

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shibboleth

shib·bo·leth [ shíbbə lèth ] (plural shib·bo·leths)

noun

Definition:

1. catchword or slogan: a word or phrase frequently used, or a belief strongly held, by members of a group that is usually regarded by outsiders as meaningless, unimportant, or misguided

2. common saying or belief: a saying that is widely used or a belief that is widely held, especially one that interferes with somebody's ability to speak or think about things without preconception

3. identifying word or custom: a unique pronunciation, word, behavior, or practice used to distinguish one group of people from another and to identify somebody as either a member of the group or an outsider

[Mid-17th century. < Hebrew šibbōleṯ "stream"]

Word History


	According to the Bible, the people of Gilead used the word šibbōleṯ as a password, because they knew their enemies the Ephraimites could not pronounce the "sh" properly ("And it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay, then they said unto him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right") (Judges 12:5-6).