Shibboleet - The code so you can get through to tech support

Is tech support “programmed” in such a way that you are able to get much better treatment with a top secret passcode? Some state “shibboleet” might be that special word Unfortunately, shibboleet isn’t a super-secret backdoor passcode for tech support. The Hebrew-based word, however, could be considered uniquely appropriate for its new chosen use.

XCKD/ provides Shibboleet

If you have never read the comic XKCD, it’s a “webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.” The tech-minded on the web are those who really enjoy this hand-drawn stick figure comic. This morning’s comic put “shibboleet” to the forefront. The character in the comic was having a dream about the word shibboleet. By saying the word, a tech support caller would instantly be put right through to a tech support worker who knew about computers better. As the comic put it, “an individual who knows a minimum of two programming languages.”

Is shibboleet going to function?

Unfortunately, even within the XKCD comic, shibboleet was just a dream. Saying shibboleet if you are on a tech support call will probably do just one of two things. The tech support person will probably be confused unless they have read XKCD. They also may have read the comic. If they have, they will just giggle a bit. The people who are tech support usually go off of scripts written by those who do not even get paid enough to get a no payday loans no faxing rather than from comics. In case you are lucky, the tech support personnel can at least have a good conversation with you if you state shibboleet.

Exactly what does shibboleet even imply?

There are some saying that “shibboleet” is a term based on a Hebrew-language word that signifies “a person of knowledge.” However, the malmanteau “shibboleet” is most likely a combination of “shibbo”, which is a word used to describe reading and writing access data or passwords: and “leet”, which is typically used to describe a technically savvy person. This is called “I33t” online with a second alphabet. This alphabet uses ASCII characters along with regular alphabet characters..

Articles cited

XKCD

xkcd.com