D defs.my
Entry 4 senses Webster, 1913

Mumbo Jumbo

/mŭm'-bō jŭm'-bō/ · Mum·bo Jum·bo · IPA /ˌmʌmboʊˈdʒʌmboʊ/
01 n. Among the Mandingos of the western Sudan, a bugbear by means of which the women are terrified and disciplined by societies of the men, one …
  1. 1.
    Among the Mandingos of the western Sudan, a bugbear by means of which the women are terrified and disciplined by societies of the men, one of whom assumes a masquerade for the purpose; hence, loosely, any Negro idol, fetish, or bugaboo.
    “The miserable Mumbo Jumbo they paraded.” Dickens.
  2. 2.
    An object of superstitious homage and fear.
  3. 3.
    Incomprehensible or senseless language, usually intended to avoid answering plainly, confuse a listener, or obscure an issue.
  4. 4.
    Language so arcane or obscure as to be unintelligible to the listener.