Mumbo Jumbo

Pronunciation: /ˈmʌmboʊ ˈdʒʌmboʊ/

Definitions of mumbo jumbo

noun a complicated or confusing statement or set of statements

Example Sentences

A1 I don't understand all this mumbo jumbo about taxes.

A2 The instructions were full of technical mumbo jumbo that I couldn't decipher.

B1 The contract was filled with legal mumbo jumbo that made it hard to understand.

B2 The scientist's presentation was full of technical mumbo jumbo that went over my head.

C1 The politician's speech was filled with empty mumbo jumbo that failed to address the real issues.

C2 The lawyer's argument was so full of legal mumbo jumbo that it was difficult to follow.

Examples of mumbo jumbo in a Sentence

formal The speaker's convoluted explanation was filled with unnecessary mumbo jumbo.

informal I can't make sense of all this mumbo jumbo in the instructions.

slang Stop talking that mumbo jumbo, just tell me what you mean.

figurative Her mind was filled with a chaotic mix of thoughts, like a swirling pot of mumbo jumbo.

Grammatical Forms of mumbo jumbo

• past tense: mumbo jumboed
• plural: mumbo jumbos
• comparative: more mumbo jumbo
• superlative: most mumbo jumbo
• present tense: mumbo jumbos
• future tense: will mumbo jumbo
• perfect tense: has mumbo jumboed
• continuous tense: is mumbo jumboing
• singular: mumbo jumbo
• positive degree: mumbo jumbo
• infinitive: to mumbo jumbo
• gerund: mumbo jumboing
• participle: mumbo jumboed

Origin and Evolution of mumbo jumbo

First Known Use: 1738 year

Language of Origin: Mandingo

Story behind the word: The term 'mumbo jumbo' originated from the Mandingo language of West Africa, specifically from the name of a masked dancer associated with secret societies.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'mumbo jumbo' has evolved to refer to meaningless or nonsensical language or ritualistic practices, often used in a derogatory manner to dismiss beliefs or practices that are not understood or accepted by the speaker.