Shibboleth
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.
Often appears as...
- pass the shibboleth
- use as shibboleth
noun
A custom or belief that people use to distinguish themselves from others.
Refusal to consume alcohol has become a shibboleth for the health-conscious.
Often appears as...
- become a shibboleth
- shibboleth for something
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.
Often appears as...
- pass the shibboleth
- use as shibboleth
noun
A custom or belief that people use to distinguish themselves from others.
Refusal to consume alcohol has become a shibboleth for the health-conscious.
Often appears as...
- become a shibboleth
- shibboleth for something
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Group Identification
Shibboleth can reveal if someone belongs to a particular group through specific language use.
Her use of local slang was a shibboleth that proved she was a native.
Pro Tip 2/3Insider Knowledge
Understanding a shibboleth may require insider knowledge exclusive to a certain community.
Only a programmer would understand that technical jargon was a shibboleth of the coding community.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Nuance
Some shibboleths are subtle and can easily be missed if you're not very familiar with the language or group.
The slight accent on one syllable acted as a shibboleth among the villagers.
Pro Tip 1/3Group Identification
Shibboleth can reveal if someone belongs to a particular group through specific language use.
Her use of local slang was a shibboleth that proved she was a native.
Pro Tip 2/3Insider Knowledge
Understanding a shibboleth may require insider knowledge exclusive to a certain community.
Only a programmer would understand that technical jargon was a shibboleth of the coding community.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Nuance
Some shibboleths are subtle and can easily be missed if you're not very familiar with the language or group.
The slight accent on one syllable acted as a shibboleth among the villagers.
Pro Tip 1/3Group Identification
Shibboleth can reveal if someone belongs to a particular group through specific language use.
Her use of local slang was a shibboleth that proved she was a native.
Pro Tip 2/3Insider Knowledge
Understanding a shibboleth may require insider knowledge exclusive to a certain community.
Only a programmer would understand that technical jargon was a shibboleth of the coding community.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Nuance
Some shibboleths are subtle and can easily be missed if you're not very familiar with the language or group.
The slight accent on one syllable acted as a shibboleth among the villagers.
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Quote examples
Bruno Latour
French Scientist
The only shibboleth the West has is science. It is the premise of modernity and it defines itself as a rationality capable of, indeed requiring separation from politics, religion and really, society. Modernisation is to work towards this.
Quote examples
Steven Pinker
Canadian Scientist
Language pedants hew to an oral tradition of shibboleths that have no basis in logic or style, that have been defied by great writers for centuries, and that have been disavowed by every thoughtful usage manual.
Quote examples
Edward Zwick
American Director
Doctors are kind of this shibboleth in our society. We know what they do, and we depend on them, but we don't know a lot about what it feels like from their side.
Quote examples
Leon Max
Russian Designer
Everything is always grungy in England, no? It's like a little shibboleth of the upper class, wearing something out of your grandfather's trunk.
Quote examples
Bruno Latour
French Scientist
The only shibboleth the West has is science. It is the premise of modernity and it defines itself as a rationality capable of, indeed requiring separation from politics, religion and really, society. Modernisation is to work towards this.
Quote examples
Steven Pinker
Canadian Scientist
Language pedants hew to an oral tradition of shibboleths that have no basis in logic or style, that have been defied by great writers for centuries, and that have been disavowed by every thoughtful usage manual.
Quote examples
Edward Zwick
American Director
Doctors are kind of this shibboleth in our society. We know what they do, and we depend on them, but we don't know a lot about what it feels like from their side.
Quote examples
Leon Max
Russian Designer
Everything is always grungy in England, no? It's like a little shibboleth of the upper class, wearing something out of your grandfather's trunk.
Example 1 of 4
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