mumbo jumbo

English

Alternative forms

• mumbo-jumbo

Etymology

Probably from Mandinka maamajomboo (“mask; masked dancer”). What might be possible as well is the occurance of l-vocalization in the words "mumble" and "jumble".

Pronunciation

• IPA: /mʌmbəʊˈdʒʌmbəʊ/

Noun

mumbo jumbo (uncountable)

1. (historical) A deity or other supernatural being said to have been worshipped by certain West African peoples; an idol.
2. (religion) Any object of superstition; religious words and/or actions which are seen as superstitious or fraudulent.

   Rev. Quack's healing services are little more than mumbo jumbo.

3. Any confusing or meaningless speech; nonsense, gibberish.

   Football lingo is mumbo jumbo to me.

   There were a bunch of foreigners speaking their Mumbo Jumbo clustered ahead of me at Customs.