Buzz
The word jinx is most often used in a playful manner nowadays. Sports fans might claim a baseball team has been 'jinxed' after trading a star player. Kids often use it when they speak the same word simultaneously, shouting 'jinx!' to wish bad luck upon the other person. A computer that crashes frequently, or a person who can’t seem to keep a job, might be called 'jinxed.'
Calling something bad luck a jinx has become so common that we rarely think about where the term came from. So, what exactly is a jinx, and when did this custom of jinxing people begin?
What Does 'Jinx' Mean?
As defined by Merriam-Webster, the word jinx refers to someone or something that brings misfortune. It can also be used as a verb, signifying an action that causes bad luck, like casting a hex. In such instances, the noun jinx can describe the 'curse' or period of bad luck attributed to this force.
What is the Origin of the Word Jinx?
The word jinx first appeared in print in the early 1900s. A 1911 issue of the Chicago Daily News mentioned the term in relation to unlucky baseball players: 'Dave Shean and 'Peaches' Graham... have not been spared from the jinx haunting the champions.'
The Oxford English Dictionary notes that jinx is 'a variation or modification of another lexical term.' Its exact roots remain unclear, though one hypothesis suggests the word derives from the English term wryneck and its Latin ancestor iynx. This bird, known for turning its head upside down when threatened, was historically linked to witchcraft and various superstitions.
Experts believe that by the 17th century, the word wryneck had evolved into jynx. During this period, it also began to refer to a charm or spell, indicating that the meaning of the term as an unlucky individual actually predates its current usage.
During the 19th century, two characters named Jinx left their imprint on American culture, possibly shaping the modern understanding of the word's spelling and meaning. Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines was a popular vaudeville song about a clumsy soldier who was kicked out of the army. In the musical Little Puck, a character named Jinx Hoodoo seemed to spread misfortune wherever he went. These characters likely helped cement the idea of jinx not just as a curse, but as a person cursed with bad luck.
The Superstition of Knocking on Wood to Ward Off a Jinx
A widely known superstition in the Western world involves knocking on wood to ward off evil. The phrase knocking on wood has been common in Britain since the 19th century. It may have originated with pagans who believed gods inhabited trees, and knocking on wood was a way to express thanks or to seek divine favor in times of need. In Christian traditions, wood symbolized the cross, adding sacred significance to the action.
Throwing salt over one's shoulder is another traditional act believed to drive away evil. In Italy, people touch iron as a counterpart to knocking on wood. In Turkey, locals pull on one ear while knocking on wood, and the Irish used to knock on wood to ask leprechauns for good fortune.
Across cultures, various superstitions endure. While the origins of some remain unclear, the idea of a jinx is universal, appearing in many parts of the world. Rituals like knocking on wood are widely believed to counteract such misfortunes, even in modern times.
