ˈshibələ̇th sometimes -ˌleth noun
( -s )
Etymology: Hebrew shibbōleth ear of grain, stream, flood; from the use of this word as a test to distinguish Gileadites from Ephraimites, who pronounced it sibbōleth (Judges 12:6)
1.
a. : a sound or a word containing a sound whose proper articulation is difficult for and whose mispronunciation is regarded as reliably indicating or betraying a speaker who is not native or whose speech has been influenced by early acquaintance with another language
b. : a custom or usage regarded as a criterion for distinguishing members of one group (as a social class) from those of another
for most of the well-to-do in the town, dinner was a shibboleth , its hour dividing mankind — Osbert Sitwell
2.
a. : a word or saying characteristically used by the adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usually regarded as empty of real meaning : catchword , slogan
the criticism of liberal and radical thought wherever it deteriorated to shibboleth and dogma — Lionel Trilling
b. : a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular class, profession, or group of persons
our listeners type us — stereotype us — according to the impression they gain from our verbal habits … every word we speak is a shibboleth — G.A.Miller
c. : a commonplace saying or idea : platitude , truism
some truth in the shibboleth that crime does not pay — Lee Rogow