2305: mumbo-jumbo Apr 8, 2021

It's not entirely clear how the phrase 'mumbo jumbo' originated, it's most likely from the Mandinka people of West Africa. According to that understanding, it is from the word 'maamajomboo', meaning 'masked dancer', a role used in many for supernatural activities of the native culture who would sing and chant in gibberish. Alternatively, it might just be from English, as a somewhat exaggerated and fanciful pronunciation of 'mumble' plus 'jumble'.