Word of the Day, November 11: ‘Jinx’

Word of the Day: JINX
Pronunciation: UK /dʒɪŋks/
US /dʒɪŋks/

Meaning
Jinx is a noun and a verb associated with bad luck or misfortune. As a noun, it refers to a person, object or influence believed to bring bad luck. As a verb, it means to bring bad luck to someone or something, or to cause an unfortunate outcome by saying something that might tempt fate.

In simple terms, a jinx is something or someone believed to have the power to spoil good fortune.

Examples in everyday sentences

• Every time he watches his favourite football team play, they lose. His friends jokingly call him a jinx.
• Don't say that we have won already. You might jinx our chances.
• After several failed attempts to organise the event, she began to wonder whether the venue was jinxed.
• I hope I haven't jinxed my chances of getting the job by talking about it too soon.

Origin and history

The word jinx has an interesting connection to ancient beliefs about birds and magic. It is possibly derived from ‘jynx’, an old English name for the wryneck, a type of bird associated with witchcraft, spells and divination. The name can be traced further back to the Latin ‘iynx’ and Greek ‘iunx’, which referred to the same bird.

During the 17th century, related forms such as jyng and jynx were used in English to mean a charm or spell. The modern spelling, jinx, appeared in American English in the early 20th century. It was initially associated with baseball slang and the idea of an unlucky influence affecting a player or an entire team. The verb form, meaning to bring bad luck to someone or something, followed soon after.

Also Read: Word of the Day, November 10: ‘Ipsedixitism’

Cultural significance and modern usage

The idea of a jinx continues to appear in everyday life, particularly in sports, where players and supporters often avoid discussing a winning streak or predicting victory too early for fear of tempting fate.

The word also has a familiar place in childhood games. When two people say the same word or sentence at exactly the same time, one may call out "Jinx!" as part of a playful tradition. 

In popular conversation, people also use the word without necessarily believing in supernatural forces. Calling a delayed flight, a malfunctioning phone or a string of unsuccessful plans a jinx is often simply a humorous way of describing repeated bad luck.

Interesting facts

The modern word jinx first appeared in American English in the early 1900s.

Baseball played an important role in popularising the word

Jinxed is the adjective and past-tense form 

The expression "Don't jinx it" is commonly used when someone fears that speaking about a positive outcome might spoil it.

Examples from literature

• “But--there's a jinx after me in this town.” — Jinx Ship to the Rescue by Alfred Coppel
• “I am Jinx.” — Jinx by Margaret Wild

Synonyms

• Curse
• Hex
• Hoodoo
• Misfortune
• Spell

Antonyms

• Good luck
• Fortune

• Blessing

• Boon

• Lucky charm

Read more Word of the Day here.