3 ms·
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibboleth http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibboleth "A shibboleth is a word or custom whose variations in pronunciation or style ca
by JackFr 12y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibboleth http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibboleth
"A shibboleth is a word or custom whose variations in pronunciation or style can be used to differentiate members of ingroups from those of outgroups.
Gilead then cut Ephraim off from the fords of the Jordan, and whenever Ephraimite fugitives said, 'Let me cross,' the men of Gilead would ask, 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he said, 'No,' they then said, 'Very well, say "Shibboleth" (שבלת).' If anyone said, "Sibboleth" (סבלת), because he could not pronounce it, then they would seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell on this occasion.
Today, in American English, a shibboleth also has a wider meaning, referring to any "in-group" word or phrase that can be used to distinguish members of a group from outsiders – even when not used by a hostile other group."
- netcan 12y agoLIKE '3 glasses' in inglorious bastards.
- MatthewMcDonald 12y agoWarning: spoilers ahead For anyone not familiar with this reference, there is a scene where a German officer realizes that the other officers he is speaking with are actually Americans in disguise. He notices because the American indicated he would like three drinks with his three middle fingers[0]. Germans typically indicate the number three with their thumb, pointer, and middle finger[1]. [0] http://i.imgur.com/8PxwF9D.jpg http://i.imgur.com/8PxwF9D.jpg [1] http://i.imgur.com/q7HTVZY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/q7HTVZY.jpg
- morley 12y agoThis is a pretty major plot point. People who haven't seen the movie might appreciate a warning about spoilers.
- MatthewMcDonald 12y agoUpdated. Sorry about that, I hope I didn't ruin it for anyone.
- bladedtoys 12y agoAside from a shibboleth, I think there might be other ways to tell men and woman apart.
- gpvos 12y agoIf you are in an online chat, it may be the most practical method.
- jimhefferon 12y agoI saw a TV interview with a Vietnam War American POW who said they would tap signals on the wall of cells, and to tell if the person tapping back was a prisoner or a guard, they would tap Shave-and-a-Haircut (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shave_and_a_Haircut http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shave_and_a_Haircut ) because the guards just could not get it right. The WP page gives a link to this story.