Meaning of cargo cult | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Any of several religious movements among the people of Melanesia that anticipate the arrival of material cargo or cultural restoration, typically through the ritual imitation of the activities of colonial or technological cultures.
2. Any of several philosophies, practices or pseudosciences that are not rooted in experiment, often characterized by an unreflected and ritualistic approach.
   also, attributive, figuratively

Examples

“cargo cult science”

“cargo cult software engineering”

““People should slow down and understand⟳ what they’re trying to optimize for before just following Jack,” Mr. Woo said. “You don’t want⟳ to be in a cargo cult type⟳ thing.””

CEFR level