Street
gris-gris
What does gris-gris mean?
A voodoo amulet — usually a small cloth bag of herbs, stones, bones or written prayers — worn or hidden to protect the bearer, attract luck, or hex an enemy.
"She swears the gris-gris under her pillow is why the divorce went her way."
Origin
West African origin (likely Mande), carried to Louisiana via the slave trade and folded into New Orleans Voodoo. Dr. John named his 1968 debut album Gris-Gris and locked the word into hippie/rock vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
What does gris-gris mean?
A gris-gris is a voodoo charm or amulet used to ward off evil — or, conversely, to wish bad luck onto someone.
How do you use gris-gris in a sentence?
You might say, "She carries a gris-gris for protection," meaning she keeps a charm to keep evil away.
Where does gris-gris come from?
The term has West African roots and is strongly associated with New Orleans voodoo culture.
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