| 释义 |
shib·bo·leth
\ˈshibələ̇th sometimes -ˌleth\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Hebrew shibbōleth ear of grain, stream, flood; from the use of this word as a test to distinguish Gileadites from Ephraimites, who pronounced it sibbōleth (Judges 12:6)
1.
a. : a sound or a word containing a sound whose proper articulation is difficult for and whose mispronunciation is regarded as reliably indicating or betraying a speaker who is not native or whose speech has been influenced by early acquaintance with another language
b. : a custom or usage regarded as a criterion for distinguishing members of one group (as a social class) from those of another
< for most of the well-to-do in the town, dinner was a shibboleth, its hour dividing mankind — Osbert Sitwell >
2.
a. : a word or saying characteristically used by the adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usually regarded as empty of real meaning : catchword, slogan
< the criticism of liberal and radical thought wherever it deteriorated to shibboleth and dogma — Lionel Trilling >
b. : a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular class, profession, or group of persons
< our listeners type us — stereotype us — according to the impression they gain from our verbal habits … every word we speak is a shibboleth — G.A.Miller >
c. : a commonplace saying or idea : platitude, truism
< some truth in the shibboleth that crime does not pay — Lee Rogow > |