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Shibboleth: meaning, definitions and examples

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shibboleth

 

[ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

cultural reference

A shibboleth is a word, phrase, or custom that distinguishes one group of people from others. It often serves as a password or a verbal marker of identity for a particular community. The term originates from a biblical story in which the Gileadites used the word 'shibboleth' to identify members of their group from the enemy, who could not pronounce it correctly. In contemporary usage, shibboleths can be linguistic traits, slang, or specific behaviors that are recognized by members of a group. They function to signal belonging and can sometimes serve to exclude outsiders.

Synonyms

custom, identifier, marker.

Examples of usage

  • Using specific dialects can be a shibboleth.
  • The group's insider jokes acted as their shibboleth.
  • Pronunciation can often serve as a shibboleth among communities.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Hebrew word for 'ear of grain' or 'stream', linked to a story in the Bible.
  • In the Biblical tale, Ephraimites struggled to pronounce the word, making it a test for identifying enemies.

Sociolinguistics

  • Shibboleths often highlight the differences between social classes, regions, or cultural groups.
  • Certain pronunciations or slang can act as shibboleths to draw boundaries within communities.

Pop Culture

  • The term has been used in various films and television shows to explore themes of belonging and exclusion.
  • In music and literature, shibboleths symbolize insider knowledge or coded language among friends.

Psychology

  • Using shibboleths can contribute to in-group bias, where members favor their group over outsiders.
  • This can lead to discriminatory practices, as well as reinforce group cohesion among members.

Education

  • In academic settings, shibboleths can sometimes emerge in specialized jargon, making it hard for outsiders to participate.
  • Teachers often encourage awareness of these language barriers to promote inclusivity in classrooms.

Translations

Translations of the word "shibboleth" in other languages:

🇵🇹 shibboleth

🇮🇳 शिब्बोलेथ

🇩🇪 Shibboleth

🇮🇩 shibboleth

🇺🇦 шибболет

🇵🇱 shibboleth

🇯🇵 シボレト

🇫🇷 shibboleth

🇪🇸 shibboleth

🇹🇷 shibboleth

🇰🇷 시보렛

🇸🇦 شيبوليت

🇨🇿 shibboleth

🇸🇰 shibboleth

🇨🇳 希伯来语

🇸🇮 shibboleth

🇮🇸 shibboleth

🇰🇿 шибболет

🇬🇪 შიბბოლეთ

🇦🇿 shibboleth

🇲🇽 shibboleth

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,121 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.