mumbo jumbo
Definition
The meaning: Mumbo jumbo refers to language, ideas, or beliefs that are confusing, meaningless, or nonsensical, especially when used to impress or deceive people.
La signification : L’expression mumbo jumbo signifie charabia, jargon incompréhensible ou discours vide de sens, souvent utilisé pour impressionner ou embrouiller les gens.
Here's an example of use: "The politician's speech was full of mumbo jumbo and lacked real solutions."
This phrase is often used to criticise language that sounds complicated or mystical but is ultimately unclear or pointless.
Word Analysis
French equivalents »» Charabia »» Galimatias »» Baratin »» Blabla incompréhensible »» Jargon abscons Ⓐ Je n’ai rien compris à tout ce mumbo jumbo technique. Ⓑ C’est du pur charabia pour cacher la vérité. English equivalents »» Gibberish »» Nonsense »» Double-talk »» Jargon »» Hocus-pocus »» Gobbledygook Ⓐ All that legal mumbo jumbo just confused everyone. Ⓑ I don’t fall for that spiritual mumbo jumbo.
Dialogue
Emma: "Did you understand what the coach was saying about energy flows and mental synergy?" Ray: "Not at all. It sounded like complete mumbo jumbo to me."
Etymology
Origin: The term mumbo jumbo dates back to the 18th century and may come from a West African phrase *Maamajomboo*, a masked dancer used in rituals. It was misunderstood by colonisers and came to signify confusing or mysterious speech.
Modern Usage: Today, it is used humorously or critically to describe speech or ideas that are overly complex, mystical, or deceptive.
Connotation: Often negative—suggests scepticism, disbelief, or ridicule of what’s being said.
Grammar Note: Used as a noun. Example: "All that technical mumbo jumbo is just a distraction."
Audience
"Mumbo jumbo" is used in casual and informal speech, as well as in journalism and satire.
When to use: Use it when you want to dismiss unclear or meaningless speech or writing. For example: "The brochure was full of marketing mumbo jumbo that didn’t explain anything real."
Dictionary Meaning
The Free Dictionary defines it as "Speech or writing that is nonsensical, overly complicated, or full of confusing jargon, to the point of being incomprehensible or unintelligible." Here's an example of use: "My wife goes to this healer who just chants mumbo jumbo for half an hour. I think he's a con artist, but she swears that it helps her back pain."
News Snippet
"Trying to suspend my scepticism for this seemingly mumbo-jumbo healing method I tried to do exactly as I was told by the friendly woman, who explained the flotation therapy underway at the pool at the Oxford Healthcare Retreat situated in the affluent Johannesburg suburb of Melrose."
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Sir Ridley Scott
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Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Mumbo Jumbo"
Smoke and mirrors
Misleading or deceptive explanation meant to obscure the truth.
Example: "His financial plan was just smoke and mirrors to impress investors."
Double talk
Deliberately ambiguous or evasive language that hides the truth.
Example: "The manager's double talk left everyone even more confused."
Jargon-filled nonsense
Overuse of technical or obscure terms to confuse or seem knowledgeable.
Example: "The instructions were nothing but jargon-filled nonsense."
All Greek to me
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand.
Example: "I tried reading the legal document, but it was all Greek to me."
Talk in circles
To speak in a way that is confusing or avoids the main point.
Example: "The witness talked in circles and never answered the question."
Word salad
A confused or meaningless mixture of words, often sounding important but lacking substance.
Example: "His response was just a word salad of buzzwords and empty phrases."
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