Shibboleth

Definitions

1. A particular pronunciation or custom that is regarded as distinguishing members of a group from non-members, especially when used as a test.
2. A common or longstanding belief, custom, or catchphrase associated with a particular group, especially one with little current meaning or truth.

Equivalents

17 more languages

العربيةالشعار

Bosanskisloganклише

Češtinašibolet

Esperantoŝiboleto

Suomiiskulauseuskomus

Galegocontrasinal

עבריתשיבולת

Hrvatskisloganклише

한국어십볼렛

Kurdîparoleslogan

Latinasebboleth

Nederlandsclichéherkenningswoordsjibboletslagzinsloganvisiewachtwoordwoord+ 5 more

Polskiszybolet

Portuguêsxibolete

Русскийклишета́йный паро́льшибболет

Српскиsloganклише

Svenskaschibbolet

Examples

“In recent times, the correct⟳ treatment of initial h in speech has come⟳ to be regarded as a kind of shibboleth of social position.”

“He also declares that "th" is the veritable English shibboleth. He advises those Germans who cannot pronounce the sound⟳ correctly to pronounce it like⟳ "d," the symbol which he regularly uses for "th" in his lessons.”

“It's about time we abandoned the bourgeois shibboleth that earning money makes you a better person.”

“The teacher says he must stick⟳ largely to the old methods and cling⟳ to the old shibboleths or he will naturally get⟳ bad results in the examination. Only much practice along the lines the examination is going to follow⟳ will insure a [success].”

“I pose the iconoclastic suggestion that even at this late stage⟳ in B.R. dieselisation, rigid standardisation might be a shibboleth.”

“The truth is that I found success by stumbling off alone in a direction most people thought was a dead end⟳, breaking all the 1990s shibboleths about children’s books in the process⟳.”

“Yet LBJ was very much a product of the Cold War, believing its shibboleths about communist conquest being irreversible and requiring worldwide containment even when a country, such as Vietnam, that might be falling to the communists did not threaten⟳ US national interests.”

“He’d begun the day’s broadcast⟳ by rattling off a standard opening monologue: “Folks, we’re live⟳ and alive, and I hope⟳ all the boys, girls, and enbies”—nonbinary people—“are having a fantastic one.” To anyone listening for shibboleths, this would have⟳ pigeonholed him as a progressive.”

CEFR level