shi
bbo
leth
Plural
shibboleths
1
a tradition, principle, or practice that identifies or characterizes a specific group or class
- Wearing a suit and tie to work every day became a shibboleth of professionalism in the corporate world.
- The elaborate tea ceremony is considered a shibboleth of Japanese culture.
- In certain social circles, attending exclusive events or clubs serves as a shibboleth of status.
- Some argue that the requirement of handwritten thank-you notes is a shibboleth of etiquette in certain affluent communities.
- The monarchy's adherence to strict protocol and formalities is often seen as a shibboleth of aristocratic privilege in modern times.
2
a specific word or phrase used to identify or differentiate individuals
- During wartime, soldiers often used a shibboleth to distinguish friend from foe based on their accent or pronunciation.
- The bouncer at the club used a shibboleth to verify that only members were allowed entry.
- Border guards employed shibboleths to identify smugglers attempting to cross the border illegally.
- Linguists study shibboleths to understand regional dialects and linguistic variations.
- In some historical conflicts, a shibboleth was used to uncover spies or infiltrators posing as locals.