ˈməm(ˌ)bōˈjəm(ˌ)bō noun
( plural mumbo jumbos )
Etymology: perhaps from Mandingo mama dyumbo, from mama ancestor + dyumbo pompon, wearer of a pompon
1. usually capitalized M&J
a. : an idol or deity held to have been worshiped by various African peoples
b. : an object of superstitious homage and fear
2.
a. : a complicated observance that is often ritualistic and accompanied by elaborate trappings
spell woven by the mumbo jumbo of a ritual and the glamour of regalia — C.W.Ferguson
the mumbo jumbo of the … coronation — Victoria Sackville-West
b. : complicated and sometimes purposeless activity intended to obscure and confuse
the exchange of notes is not mere diplomatic mumbo jumbo — Time
personal combat is not mumbo jumbo — J.V.Grombach
3. : language that is unnecessarily involved and difficult to understand : gibberish
created a mumbo jumbo beyond … many a lawyer to translate — Stuart Chase
professional mumbo jumbo of much of our scholarly writing — P.G.Hoffman