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Reference : Idioms : M : mumbo jumbo

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mumbo jumbo

Meaning: If you describe what someone says or writes as mumbo jumbo, you think it doesn't make sense or it's not clear because it's too complex.

For example:

  • The good thing about Steven's book on physics is that he tries to avoid all that scientific mumbo jumbo that most people can't understand.

  • Have you ever heard the sort of mumbo jumbo that lawyers speak when they're discussing a case?

Quick Quiz:

I went to a discussion about modern literature, but it all sounded like mumbo jumbo to me. I really couldn't
  1. understand what they were saying
  2. agree with what they were saying
  3. hear what they were saying

Discuss: mumbo jumbo

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