juju
UK[ˈdʒuːdʒuː]US[ˈdʒuːdʒuː]
n
a charm or fetish used in some west african religions, believed to have magical power.
n
the supernatural power attributed to such an object.
n
(informal) a superstitious belief or the influence of luck.
Etymology
the word 'juju' entered english in the late 19th century from french, which borrowed it from west african languages, specifically from hausa 'juju' or a related term. it originally referred to objects used in religious or magical rituals. the term reflects european colonial encounters with west african spiritual practices. through this transmission, its meaning broadened in english to encompass not just the physical object but also the abstract concept of magical power and, informally, any superstitious influence or luck.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from a west african language (likely from a language of the hausa people) and is not composed of separable morphemes within the english spelling system. it functions as a simplex noun.
Examples
the traveler brought back a small carved figure as a juju for protection.
many players have their own pre-game juju or ritual for good luck.
the old man claimed the success of his crops was due to the juju, not just the fertilizer.