mumbo jumbo

As used on this site, mumbo jumbo means "language that is unnecessarily difficult to understand."

The term can also mean "a state of confusion" or a "ritual accompanied by complicated and purposeless activity that obscures and confuses." When capitalized as a proper noun, Mumbo Jumbo, refers to "the guardian of western Sudan villages symbolized by a masked man who combats evil and punishes women for breaches of tribal laws."

References

mumbo jumbo. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved September 28, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mumbo%20jumbo

mumbo jumbo. (n.d.). WordNet® 2.0. Retrieved September 28, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mumbo%20jumbo