Shibboleth

(shib'bo-leth.) [Heb., a flood.] (Philol.) Aword which was made the criterion by which to distinguish the Ephraimites from the Gileadites, after the defeat of the former by Jephthah. The Ephraimites pronounced the word sibboleth Judges xii.]. Hence, when some characteristic or peculiarity of a party is observed, it is common to speak of it as the S. or watchword of that party. [s. 821]