shibboleth

shib·bo·leth  (shb-lth, -lth)

n.

1. A word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another.

2.

a. A word or phrase identified with a particular group or cause; a catchword.

b. A commonplace saying or idea.

3. A custom or practice that betrays one as an outsider.

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[Ultimately from Hebrew ibblet, torrent of water, from the use of this word to distinguish one tribe from another that pronounced it sibblet (Judges 12:4-6).]

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shibboleth

Noun

1. a slogan or catch phrase, usually considered outworn, that characterizes a particular party or sect: the shibboleth of Western strategy

2. a custom, phrase, or use of language that reliably distinguishes a member of one group or class from another [word used in the Old Testament by the Gileadites as a test word for the Ephraimites, who could not pronounce sh]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	shibboleth - a favorite saying of a sect or political group catchword, motto, slogan locution, saying, expression - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression" catch phrase, catchphrase - a phrase that has become a catchword mantra - a commonly repeated word or phrase; "she repeated `So pleased with how its going' at intervals like a mantra" rallying cry, war cry, watchword, battle cry, cry - a slogan used to rally support for a cause; "a cry to arms"; "our watchword will be `democracy'"
	2.	shibboleth - a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people manner of speaking, delivery, speech - your characteristic style or manner of expressing yourself orally; "his manner of speaking was quite abrupt"; "her speech was barren of southernisms"; "I detected a slight accent in his speech"