shibboleth
noun

- a peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons

- a word, phrase, custom, etc., only known to a particular group of people, that you can use to prove to them that you are a real member of that group

- a belief or custom that is not now considered as important and correct as it was in the past

Dictionary Dot Com / Cambridge Dictionary

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ORIGIN

“Shibboleth” derives from an account in the Hebrew Bible in which pronunciation of this word was used to distinguish Ephraimites, whose dialect included a differently-sounding first consonant.

Recorded in the Book of Judges, Chapter 12, after the inhabitants of Gilead inflicted a military defeat upon the invading tribe of Ephraim (around 1370–1070 B.C.), the surviving Ephraimites tried to cross the River Jordan back into their home territory but the Gileadites secured the river’s fords to stop them. To identify the Ephraimites, the Gileadites told each suspected survivor to say the word “shibboleth”.

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THE MODERN SHIBBOLETHS

In situations of modern conflict between groups speaking different languages or dialects, combatants have used shibboleths in a way similar to the above-mentioned biblical use — to discover hiding members of an opposing group.

Shibboleth also has the wider meaning of simply referring to any “in-group” word or phrase that can distinguish members of a group from outsiders.

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JUST SAY “FISH-AND-CHIPS”

In Australia and New Zealand, the words “fish-and-chips” are often used to highlight the difference in each country’s short i-vowel sound. Asking someone to say this phrase can identify their origin.

Australian English has a higher forward sound, close to the “y” in happy and city, while New Zealand English has a lower backward sound, a slightly higher version of the “a” in about and comma.

Thus, New Zealanders hear Australians say “feesh-and-cheeps” while Australians hear New Zealanders say “fush-and-chups”.

Next time you talk to an Australian or New Zealander, see if you can hear the difference.

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SYNONYMS

catchword, language custom, SHIBBOLETH, party cry, password, watchword, way of speaking

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Here’s a modern SHIBBOLETH — did you know that English speakers divide into three Brexit-groups: those who say ‘Breggsit’ and those who say ‘Brecksit’? … a third group says ‘Brexshit’”.

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Paul Smith, IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40