Associations to the word «Shibboleth»

Wiktionary

SHIBBOLETH, noun. A word, especially seen as a test, to distinguish someone as belonging to a particular nation, class, profession etc.
SHIBBOLETH, noun. A common or longstanding belief, custom, or catchphrase associated with a particular group, especially one with little current meaning or truth.

Dictionary definition

SHIBBOLETH, noun. A favorite saying of a sect or political group.
SHIBBOLETH, noun. A manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people.

Wise words

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.
Noam Chomsky