Via Wiktionary:
1. A word, especially seen as a test, to distinguish someone as belonging to a particular nation, class, profession etc.
2. A common or longstanding belief, custom, or catchphrase associated with a particular group, especially one with little current meaning or truth.
From Hebrew שִׁבֹּלֶת / שיבולת (šibbōlet, “ear of wheat”), with reference to Judges 12:5-6: ‘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.” If anyone said “Sibboleth”, but could not pronounce it, they would then seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan.’ (New Jerusalem Bible)
Next time I ever hear any Brits criticizing me on the "proper" pronunciation of anything, I'm going to drag out this particular video.
(h/t +Steve S)
This is awesome. And I knew the first few, but some of the more esoteric places caught me off-guard.
Humorous and entertaining as well as informative!