Etymologically
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mojo

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Pronunciation

  • UK: /ˈməʊd͡ʒəʊ/[1]
  • US: /ˈmoʊd͡ʒoʊ/[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.[2] It is probably of African origin:[3][4][5][6] perhaps from Gullah moco (“witchcraft, magic”), compared with Fula moco'o (“medicine man”).[2][3][7][8][6] Etymonline thinks it probably of Creole origin,[9] and the Oxford Dictionary of English suggests that the Gullah word may itself be from Spanish mojo (“wet”), from mojar (“to make wet”).[5] The OED also cites a reversed form jomo from 1925.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Magic power, voodoo, and a charm used to cast spells: 1922, in the Birmingham (Alabama) Post.[2] Merriam-Webster dates it to 1926.[3]

Semantic evolution

The word belonged to African American speech, where it meant spirituality, magic and so power and influence;[8][6] early records include Ida Cox's song title "Mojo Hand Blues" (1927) and Robert Johnson's lyrics (1937), and later the phrase mojo working.[8] Later it came to mean a power or influence of any kind, especially a personal charm or drive, and Word Origins notes that it is best known in Britain from popular songs.[2][6] In 1935 it was recorded as an underworld name for narcotic drugs, especially morphine, perhaps a special use of the same word.[2][9] A verb, to cast a spell on or jinx someone, followed (1938 in Green's, 1950 in the OED).[8][2]

Timeline

  • 1922 – magic power, voodoo; a charm or amulet.[2]
  • 1927 – Mojo Hand Blues, a song title.[8]
  • 1935 – any narcotic drug, especially morphine.[2][9]
  • 1938 – verb, to fool or get the better of.[8]
  • 1950 – verb, to cast a spell on, to jinx.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Magic or voodoo; a charm or amulet used to cast spells.[3][2][10]
  2. (informal) A personal power or influence; drive, charm or talent: After a slow start the team got its mojo back.[2][4][10]
  3. (US slang) Any narcotic drug, especially morphine.[2][4]

Verb

  1. (slang) To cast a spell on; to jinx.[2][8]

Usage notes

Mojo pronounced /ˈmoʊhoʊ/ is a different word, a Cuban sauce of garlic, olive oil and sour orange, from mojo (1983 in English).[2][4]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b Stevenson, Angus, ed. (2010), Oxford Dictionary of English, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  6. ^ a b c d Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (online 2024), 5th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Green, Jonathon (2010), Green's Dictionary of Slang, London: Chambers; digital ed. 2016–, https://greensdictofslang.com
  9. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  10. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins