shibboleth
3
9.9
- noun
- /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/
:
shibboleth
- In the debate about education, the term 'charter school' has become a shibboleth that divides opinions between the supporters and critics.
- become a shibboleth
- old shibboleths
They they just repeat these nonsense shibboleths over and over that don't mean anything.
- They they just repeat these nonsense shibboleths over and over that don't mean anything.
Examples
-
Race is woven deeply into the fabric of American society and is the great shibboleth of American history.
Academic text (1999) -
While precious time is being lost, such people are confining their efforts to a defense of the old shibboleths.
Academic text (1995) -
The cause of a free press became a liberal shibboleth (and remains one even now).
Academic text (1995) -
In practice, one merely hears the all-pervasive shibboleth that "more must be done."
Academic text (1992) -
But rather than question these shibboleths, Americans have instead become more cynical and less compassionate toward the poor.
Academic text (2003) -
Fearful of another depression, Keyserling and his liberal allies institutionalized full employment as a Democratic Party shibboleth well into the 1970s.
Academic text (2006) -
The privileged trinity of shibboleths—race, class, and gender—has still not been joined by age.
Academic text (1992) -
Everyone seemed to understand the latest cultural reference; it was a true shibboleth that signified their belonging to the group.
-
For many in the tech community, the phrase 'move fast and break things' has become a shibboleth that indicates one's commitment to innovation.
Synonyms
202
2.5
A short memorable phrase a group uses to express its main idea
1
7.6
A short word or phrase often used by a group as a slogan
How Distinctive
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word shibboleth comes from a Hebrew word that means 'ear of grain'. In a Bible story people used the word's sound as a simple test—those who could not say it correctly were found to be outsiders, so today a shibboleth is a word or custom that shows who belongs to a group.