Shibboleth

usgb/ˈʃɪbəleθ/
noun

An old word, phrase, or way of speaking that is only known or used by certain groups of people.

The phrase was a shibboleth to identify members of the group.
Visual representation of "shibboleth" - An old word, phrase, or way of speaking that is only known or used by certain groups of people.

Often appears as...

  • pass the shibboleth
  • use as shibboleth
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "shibboleth"
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Group Identification

Shibboleth can reveal if someone belongs to a particular group through specific language use.

Illustration for Group Identification
Her use of local slang was a shibboleth that proved she was a native.
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Insider Knowledge

Understanding a shibboleth may require insider knowledge exclusive to a certain community.

Illustration for Insider Knowledge
Only a programmer would understand that technical jargon was a shibboleth of the coding community.
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Subtle Nuance

Some shibboleths are subtle and can easily be missed if you're not very familiar with the language or group.

Illustration for Subtle Nuance
The slight accent on one syllable acted as a shibboleth among the villagers.
Visual representation of the word "Shibboleth"

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