Mumbo jumbo

//mʌmbəʊˈdʒʌmbəʊ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A deity or other supernatural being said to have been worshipped by certain West African peoples; an idol. countable, historical, uncountable

    "So likewise a day comes when the Runic Thor, with his Eddas, must withdraw into dimness; and many an African Mumbo-Jumbo and Indian Pawpaw be utterly abolished."

  2. 2
    language or ritual causing, or intending to cause, confusion wordnet
  3. 3
    Any object of superstition; religious words and/or actions which are seen as superstitious or fraudulent. countable, uncountable

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

  4. 4
    Any confusing or meaningless speech; nonsense, gibberish. broadly, countable, uncountable

    "Football lingo is mumbo jumbo to me."

Etymology

Probably from Mandinka maamajomboo (“mask; masked dancer”); or perhaps from /l/-vocalization in the words mumble and jumble.

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