Mojo

Mojo is an African American term for a lucky charm or magic spell, and has broadly come to mean magical power that gives people confidence and control over their lives and events. Merriam-Webster dates the word from 1926, when it was well known to African Americans in Louisiana and Mississippi. Its etymology is thought to come from West African languages like Fulani, in which words like 'moco' are related to voodoo and magic. Muddy Waters, the well known American blues singer, popularised the word in the title of his classic song 'Got my mojo working', which meant he was confident and in full control of his life.