shibboleth

A custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group; an outdated belief still held by some.

• (no common derivatives)

• political shibboleth
• challenge a shibboleth
• cultural shibboleth
• economic shibboleth

1. 1.The idea that hard work alone guarantees success is a shibboleth that ignores systemic inequality. (unquestioned belief)
2. 2.Pronunciation of certain words serves as a shibboleth, revealing regional or class origins. (distinguishing marker)

• dogma/ˈdɒɡmə/— unquestioned belief
• cliché/ˈkliːʃeɪ/— overused idea
• orthodoxy/ˈɔːθədɒksi/— established belief

from Hebrew "shibboleth" = ear of grain — in the Bible (Judges 12:6), the Gileadites used this word as a test: fleeing Ephraimites couldn't pronounce "sh" and said "sibboleth," revealing their identity