Lecture 27: Words for Words

Words for Words

Lecture 27

W

ords are truly the tools with which we explore and interpret every

aspect of our world—physical, mental, real, and imagined. In fact,

we can use words to discuss any topic we can think of, including,

of course, words themselves. In this lecture and the next one, then, we will

learn some words for words. In this lecture, we’ll focus on more general

words for words that you’re likely to see in books, articles, blogs, and the

news. In the next lecture, we’ll explore words that refer to more specialized

categories of vocabulary and language.

Shibboleth (noun)

A test word, phrase, or custom used to distinguish one group from another.

z Shibboleth is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that originally

meant “stream” or “ear of corn.” What’s important about this word,

however, wasn’t its original meaning but its pronunciation.

ż The biblical book of Judges gives an account of a battle between

the Gileadites and the Ephraimites. The Gileadites routed

the Ephraimites, who tried to retreat across the Jordan River.

Unfortunately for the retreating Ephraimites, the Gileadites held

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enemy. To do this, they conceived of a simple test.

ż According 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,

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well, say ‘Shibboleth.’ If anyone said, ‘Sibboleth,’ because he

could not pronounce it, then they would seize him and kill him

by the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites

were killed on this occasion.”