Etymology Probably of Creole origin, cognate with Gullah moco (“witchcraft”), Fula moco'o (“medicine man”). The origin of the drug sense is uncertain, possibly related to Spanish mojar (“to toast (celebrate with a drink)”).
An object (such as a charm or amulet) used to cast magic spells, especially in hoodoo.
A doney, for instance, is a woman of worse than doubtful morals, and a nation sack is a cloth pouch worn on a string around the neck for holding mojos and small change.1991 July/August, Shelby Foote, “When Robert Johnson Sings”, in American Heritage, volume 42, number 4:
3
Spellcraft, hoodoo.
4
Informal Supernatural skill; exceptional luck, success, or power.
I haven’t seen much mojo in the state Legislature for that or any other major intervention, though. Hey, lawmakers, you should check out the test scores for your own school districts. It might be yours are needing some help, too, maybe even more so than Seattle.2022 February 12, Danny Westneat, “The reason voters see past the terrible headlines with Seattle schools”, in The Seattle Times:
5
Slang Personal magnetism; charm; that which makes one successful and liked, viewed as an inherent power that can be present or absent.
Still reeling from the 2023 Voice loss, Albanese struggled until the start of this year to regain his mojo. Polls relentlessly showed the prime minister was on the nose with voters weary over the cost of living.2025 May 8, Jacob Greber, “How Peter Dutton’s Wile E Coyote campaign flew off the cliff”, in ABC News:
Etymology Probably of Creole origin, cognate with Gullah moco (“witchcraft”), Fula moco'o (“medicine man”). The origin of the drug sense is uncertain, possibly related to Spanish mojar (“to toast (celebrate with a drink)”).
1
Informal To cast a magic spell on or jinx (someone).
Any of various sauces originating in the Canary Islands and made with olive oil, peppers, garlic, paprika, and other spices.
I know I want one more satisfying starch, and I’m debating between Yewande Komolafe’s plantains with beans and Von Diaz’s yuca coated in a warm, garlicky mojo.2021 November 8, Tejal Rao, “Sidesgiving”, in The New York Times: