subs. (common).—1. An African deity.
1831. CARLYLE, Sartor Resartus, p. 137, ed. 1858. So likewise a day comes when the Runic Thor with his Eddas, must withdraw into dimness and many an African MUMBO-JUMBO and Indian Pawaw be utterly abolished.
1864. The Times, 2 Nov. And MUMBO-JUMBO will not be put off with inferior articles—the slightest blemish in colour or inferiority in cloth is instantly detected and rejected by these semi-savages, hence the greatest care is necessary in catering for their wants.
2. (colloquial).—Unmeaning jargon.
