Definition

Noun: 1. Confusing or meaningless language or ritual: Speech, writing, or a ceremony that is unnecessarily complicated, obscure, or nonsensical, often intended to impress, confuse, or deceive. 2. Nonsensical or superstitious words or actions: Gibberish or complicated procedures that have no real meaning or value.

Usage

The term "mumbo jumbo" is used to dismissively describe language or actions that seem like meaningless nonsense. It often carries a critical or mocking tone, suggesting that something is deliberately confusing or based on superstition rather than reason or clarity.

Examples

• The politician's answer was just a lot of mumbo jumbo that didn't address the question.
• I can't follow the mumbo jumbo in this software license agreement.
• The old ceremony was full of mumbo jumbo that no one understood anymore.
• Don't give me that technical mumbo jumbo; explain it in simple terms.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: "mumbo jumbo" can be used attributively before another noun.
  • He dismissed the theory as mumbo-jumbo science.
• In cultural critique: The term is sometimes used to criticize jargon, corporate speak, or overly complex academic language that obscures simple truths.

Variants and Related Words

• Mumbo-jumbo (with a hyphen): An alternative spelling, especially when used as a compound modifier (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Gibberish
• Nonsense
• Gobbledygook
• Double-talk
• Drivel

Related Idioms

• A lot of mumbo jumbo: A common phrase emphasizing the quantity of nonsense.
  • The contract is full of a lot of legal mumbo jumbo.

Noun

1. language or ritual causing, or intending to cause, confusion