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Mumbo-Jumbo
Mumbo-JumboA term used to denote an object of senseless veneration, or a meaningless ceremony designed to overpower impressionable people. It has often been used by individuals as a pejorative label to express their strong personal belief about the occult. Mumbo-Jumbo dates back to the early eighteenth century, when it was reported as an image used by the Mundingo tribe in Gambia, Africa, to keep women in subjection. If the men had a dispute with the women, the "Mumbo-Jumbo" image was brought to adjudicate. This image was eight or nine feet high, made from the bark of trees, with straw on the head, and dressed in a long frock coat. A man of the tribe would be hidden under the coat, and would always give a judgment in favor of the men. The women would usually run away when he was brought to them, although he had power to make them come forward or sing and dance for his pleasure. A secret society amongst the men maintained the tradition of the Mumbo-Jumbo, and its members were sworn to secrecy. No boy under sixteen was allowed to join. |
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"Mumbo-Jumbo." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Mumbo-Jumbo." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403803159.html "Mumbo-Jumbo." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403803159.html |
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mumbo-jumbo
mum·bo-jum·bo / ˈməmbō ˈjəmbō/ (also mum·bo· jum·bo) • n. inf. language or ritual causing or intended to cause confusion or bewilderment: a maze of legal mumbo jumbo. |
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"mumbo-jumbo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mumbo-jumbo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mumbojumbo.html "mumbo-jumbo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mumbojumbo.html |
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mumbo-jumbo
mumbo-jumbo language or ritual causing or intended to cause confusion or bewilderment. This sense dates from the late 19th century, and derives from the mid 18th-century form Mumbo Jumbo, name of a supposed African idol.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "mumbo-jumbo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "mumbo-jumbo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-mumbojumbo.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "mumbo-jumbo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-mumbojumbo.html |
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mumbo-jumbo
mumbo-jumbo grotesque idol said to have been worshipped by African negroes; (transf.) object of unintelligent veneration. XVIII. of unkn. orig.
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T. F. HOAD. "mumbo-jumbo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "mumbo-jumbo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-mumbojumbo.html T. F. HOAD. "mumbo-jumbo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-mumbojumbo.html |
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mumbo-jumbo
mumbo-jumbo •jabot, sabot
•ambo, flambeau, mambo, Rambo, Rimbaud, Tambo
•Gabo, Garbo, lavabo
•elbow • Strabo • rainbow
•gazebo, grebo, placebo
•Igbo • bilbo
•akimbo, bimbo, limbo
•Maracaibo • yobbo
•combo, Negombo
•longbow • crossbow • oxbow
•hobo, lobo, oboe
•Colombo, dumbo, gumbo, jumbo, mumbo-jumbo, umbo
•Malabo • Mirabeau • turbo
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Cite this article
"mumbo-jumbo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mumbo-jumbo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mumbojumbo.html "mumbo-jumbo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mumbojumbo.html |
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