Cargo Cult

Pronunciation: /ˈkɑrɡoʊ kʌlt/

Definitions of cargo cult

noun a religious movement that arises in a non-Western culture that worships Western goods and technology as symbols of wealth and power

Example Sentences

A1 A cargo cult is a type of religious practice.

A2 Some indigenous tribes believe in cargo cults.

B1 Cargo cults often involve rituals to attract material wealth.

B2 The concept of cargo cults has been studied by anthropologists.

C1 Scholars debate the significance of cargo cults in modern society.

C2 Cargo cults are a complex phenomenon with deep cultural roots.

Examples of cargo cult in a Sentence

formal The concept of a cargo cult emerged in the Pacific region during the early 20th century.

informal Some people still believe in cargo cults and their promises of material wealth.

slang Cargo cults are like wishing for a lottery win without buying a ticket.

figurative His belief in quick fixes and shortcuts is like being part of a cargo cult.

Grammatical Forms of cargo cult

• past tense: cargo culted
• plural: cargo cults
• comparative: more cargo cult
• superlative: most cargo cult
• present tense: cargo cult
• future tense: will cargo cult
• perfect tense: have cargo culted
• continuous tense: is cargo culting
• singular: cargo cult
• positive degree: cargo cult
• infinitive: to cargo cult
• gerund: cargo culting
• participle: cargo culted

Origin and Evolution of cargo cult

First Known Use: 1945 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'cargo cult' originated in the mid-20th century in Melanesia, specifically in reference to the practices of indigenous peoples who believed that various rituals and ceremonies would attract material wealth and goods ('cargo') from Westerners.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'cargo cult' has come to be used more broadly to describe any group or movement that imitates the superficial aspects of a successful endeavor without understanding or achieving the underlying principles or goals.