Posted on 09/26/2013 4:26:21 AM PDT by secret garden
In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".
shibboleth (SHIB-uh-lith, -leth) noun
1. The use of a word or pronunciation that distinguishes a group of people.
2. A slogan, belief, or custom that's now considered outmoded.
Example sentences:
"Kurdish Iraq's two dominant parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, fought a civil war in the 1990s. Ordinary words turned into shibboleths. Using the word afrat for 'woman' revealed a link with the KDP; the PUK used the word zhin. Today, the two parties share power. This has resulted in an attempt at linguistic fusion that makes Ferhadi shudder: whenever political leaders refer to women, they say 'afrat and zhin' to show that they have overcome old divisions."
--Sophie Hardach; 'Professor, You're Dividing My Nation'; The Chronicle of Higher Education (Washington, DC); Jun 23, 2013.
"Osborne's allies say his urge to win is greater than his eagerness to parrot Thatcherite shibboleths."
--Rafael Behr; The Politics Column; New Statesman (London, UK); Jun 28, 2013.
Etymology:
According to the Book of Judges in the Bible, the Gileadites used the Hebrew word shibboleth (ear of corn; stream) to identify the fleeing Ephraimites who couldn't pronounce the sh sound. 42,000 Ephraimites were slaughtered. Earliest documented use: 1382.
Some massacres in which the pronunciation of a word played a key part: Parsley Massacre, Battle of the Golden Spurs, Sicilian Vespers. The meaning of the term has now widened. It could be applied to anything, not just the pronunciation of a word, that distinguishes people. It could be a way of eating, dressing, etc.
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
WFB's attempt to emulate us ; ) No pushing at the door please!
Rise and shine!
Would the Kennedy pronunciation of Harvard (Hahvahd) be considered a shibboleth?
How about Obbama’s pronunciation of Pahkeestahn?
“Aluminium” has the rather odd sound of a deliberate affectation, but “nukular” drives me up a wall.
Good morning. I am so sick of Fox & Friends and their ridiculous “games” in the AM! Who cares whether Elizabeth “beats” the boys?
And more recently, THE TEST that the terrorists gave to the hostages in Kenya -- can they speak in Arabic and do they know the name of Muhammad's momma?
“al yu min ee um”...
And just where are you getting that last “i”, limey?
:)
They are getting it from the way they spell the word. It’s not just the pronunciation that differs.
Same place they get the "i" in Germanium, Strontium, Barium, and others. They will presumably claim they are being consistent.
Maybe we should compromise and call it "Alco-um".
Compromise?! Who won the war?
Is the word "PATRIOT" becoming a shibboleth?
As Ted Cruz entered hours past the twentieth
Using language some might call a shibboleth
Words like honesty, freedom
How seldom we see them
Since Obama became King Elizabeth
42,000 Ephraimites were slaughtered because they said “thibboleth?”
That’s some tough thit for the Ephraimites.
Goodfellas.
Its sad, but the morning news sucks.
In NJ, I go between F&F and Ch.5 channel 5 is cute, and I like Rosanna, but the 9:00 hour is retarded. Bad music and or pop culture guests.
F&F has apparently taken to playing down to the culture.
Better to come here, and read Drudge while waiting for posts.
If they thaid thibboleth, the should have moved to Fire Island.
No, I was thinking of Basil Fawlty trying to make nice with the Germans.
What about Greg Kelly?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.