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 [ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ]

n

1. a belief, principle, or practice which is commonly adhered to but which is thought by some people to be inappropriate or out of date

2. a custom, phrase, or use of language that acts as a test of belonging to, or as a stumbling block to becoming a member of, a particular social class, profession, etc.

[from Hebrew, literally: ear of grain; the word is used in the Old Testament by the Gileadites as a test word for the Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the sound 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"

Translations

shibboleth [ˈʃɪbəleθ] N (Bible) → lema m, santo m y seña (fig) → dogma m hoy desacreditado, doctrina f que ha quedado anticuada

shibboleth

n (= custom) → Gepflogenheit f, → Konvention f; (= catchword) → Losung f, → Parole f, → Schibboleth nt (rare, liter)