Re: P- and Q-Celtic (was Re: Reasonable sound changes.)

Rodlox said:
>
> if I may ask...what is a /shibboleth/ ?

http://www.m-w.com  is your friend:


Pronunciation: 'shi-b&-l&th also -"leth

Function: noun

Etymology: Hebrew shibbOleth stream; from the use
of this word in Judg 12:6 as a test to distinguish
Gileadites from Ephraimites, who pronounced it
sibbOleth

1 a : a word or saying used by adherents of a party,
sect, or belief and usually regarded by others as
empty of real meaning <the old shibboleths come
rolling off their lips -- Joseph Epstein>
  b : a widely held belief <today this book publishing
shibboleth is a myth -- L. A. Wood>
  c : TRUISM, PLATITUDE <some truth in the shibboleth
that crime does not pay -- Lee Rogow>

2 a : a use of language regarded as distinctive of
a particular group <accent was... a shibboleth of
social class -- Vivian Ducat> b : a custom or usage
regarded as distinguishing one group from others
<for most of the well-to-do in the town, dinner was
a shibboleth, its hour dividing mankind -- Osbert
Sitwell>