Jinx: Difference between revisions
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{{Other uses}} | {{Other uses}} | ||
A '''jinx''' (also '''jynx'''), in popular [[superstition]] and [[folklore]], is a curse or the attribute of attracting bad or negative luck. | A '''jinx''' (also '''jynx'''), in popular [[superstition]] and [[folklore]], is a curse or the attribute of attracting bad or negative luck. | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
The ''Online Etymology Dictionary'' states that | The ''Online Etymology Dictionary'' states that ''jynx'', meaning a charm or spell, was in usage in English as early as the 1690s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=jynx|title=jynx – Search Online Etymology Dictionary|website=etymonline.com|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref> The same source states that "jinx", with that specific spelling, is first attested in [[American English]] in 1911. Jynx/jinx is traced to the 17th-century word ''jyng'', meaning "a spell", and ultimately to the Latin word ''iynx'', also spelled ''jynx'', as 'j' and 'i' are the same letter in Latin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=jinx&searchmode=none |title=Online Etymology Dictionary: Jinx |publisher=Etymonline |access-date=2010-10-11}}</ref> The Latin ''iynx'' came from the Greek name of the [[Eurasian wryneck|wryneck]], ''iunx'', associated with sorcery; not only was the bird used in the casting of spells and in [[divination]], but the Ancient Romans and Greeks traced the bird's mythological origins to a sorceress named [[Iynx]], who was transformed into this bird to punish her for a spell cast on the god [[Zeus]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
A | A character named Mr Jinx appeared in ''Ballou's monthly magazine'' – Volume 6, page 276, in 1857.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} | ||
[[Barry Popik]] of the [[American Dialect Society]] suggests that the word | [[Barry Popik]] of the [[American Dialect Society]] suggests that the word can be traced back to an American folksong called ''Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines'' written by William Lingard in 1868.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} | ||
In 1887, the character Jinks Hoodoo, described as | In 1887, the character Jinks Hoodoo, described as "a curse to everybody, including himself" appeared in the musical comedy ''Little Puck'', and the name was quickly picked up by the press.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-jin1.htm |title=Jinx |publisher=World Wide Words |date=2011-01-15 |access-date=2017-02-11}}</ref> | ||
==In sports== | ==In sports== | ||
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And later referenced in ''Pitching at a Pinch'' (1912), [[Christy Mathewson]]<ref name=":0" /> explained that "a jinx is something which brings bad luck to a ball player." Baseball's most common "jinx" belief is that talking about a pitcher's ongoing no-hitter will cause it to be ended. See also [[Curse of the Bambino]]. | And later referenced in ''Pitching at a Pinch'' (1912), [[Christy Mathewson]]<ref name=":0" /> explained that "a jinx is something which brings bad luck to a ball player." Baseball's most common "jinx" belief is that talking about a pitcher's ongoing no-hitter will cause it to be ended. See also [[Curse of the Bambino]]. | ||
== Ships == | |||
In 2017 the [[MS Queen Victoria|MS ''Queen Victoria'']] was described as "jinxed" after suffering two misfortunes within three weeks of each other,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1955467/Jinxed-ship-hit-again.html|title=Queen Victoria liner: Jinxed ship hit again|first=Caroline Gammell and Malcolm|last=Moore|date=15 May 2008|access-date=1 November 2017|via=telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> In the 20th century, the Australian aircraft carrier [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']] was sometimes said to be jinxed, having twice struck a friendly ship, with considerable loss of life. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 17:42, 10 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Sister project Script error: No such module "other uses". A jinx (also jynx), in popular superstition and folklore, is a curse or the attribute of attracting bad or negative luck.
Etymology
The Online Etymology Dictionary states that jynx, meaning a charm or spell, was in usage in English as early as the 1690s.[1] The same source states that "jinx", with that specific spelling, is first attested in American English in 1911. Jynx/jinx is traced to the 17th-century word jyng, meaning "a spell", and ultimately to the Latin word iynx, also spelled jynx, as 'j' and 'i' are the same letter in Latin.[2] The Latin iynx came from the Greek name of the wryneck, iunx, associated with sorcery; not only was the bird used in the casting of spells and in divination, but the Ancient Romans and Greeks traced the bird's mythological origins to a sorceress named Iynx, who was transformed into this bird to punish her for a spell cast on the god Zeus.
History
A character named Mr Jinx appeared in Ballou's monthly magazine – Volume 6, page 276, in 1857.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Barry Popik of the American Dialect Society suggests that the word can be traced back to an American folksong called Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines written by William Lingard in 1868.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 1887, the character Jinks Hoodoo, described as "a curse to everybody, including himself" appeared in the musical comedy Little Puck, and the name was quickly picked up by the press.[3]
In sports
One of the uses of the word "jinx" has been in the context of baseball; in the short story The Jinx (1910) – later collected in the book The Jinx: Stories of the Diamond (1911) – Allen Sangree wrote:
By th' bones of Mike Kelly, I'll do it! Yes, sir, I'll hoodoo th' whole darned club, I will. I'll put a jinx on 'em or my name ain't Dasher, an' that goes!
And again
And later referenced in Pitching at a Pinch (1912), Christy Mathewson[3] explained that "a jinx is something which brings bad luck to a ball player." Baseball's most common "jinx" belief is that talking about a pitcher's ongoing no-hitter will cause it to be ended. See also Curse of the Bambino.
Ships
In 2017 the MS Queen Victoria was described as "jinxed" after suffering two misfortunes within three weeks of each other,[4] In the 20th century, the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne was sometimes said to be jinxed, having twice struck a friendly ship, with considerable loss of life.
See also
References
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