Learn English – term for a masked / veiled question to find sensitive information

phrase-requests

I came across a phrase for a type of question which is designed to discover someone's religious background, particularly in the context of sectarianism and divided societies but can't for the life of me remember it.

For example, if you are in Scotland and I ask you what football team you support, that may reveal your religion. Or in N.Ireland, if I ask what school you attend, likewise that may do the same.

It's like a 'veiled question' only that's not the term I'm looking for. Any help appreciated. I've a feeling that the second part of the phrase is (question) as in, a INSERT TERM question, but not 100% sure.

Best Answer

A probe for seeing if someone belongs to a particular group can be called a shibboleth. Wikipedia link

[Merriam-Webster]

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

Related Topic