Jinxed: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'jinx' possibly comes from the Latin word 'iuncire', meaning 'to join' or 'bind', which evolved to mean casting a spell.
• Jinx was first used in English in the early 20th century as a term for a curse or spell.
• The term has roots in the word 'jinx', meaning a type of owl in the 16th century, as it was associated with witchcraft.

Pop Culture

• Jinxed characters often appear in movies or books where bad luck follows them around, like in the 'Harry Potter' series with characters experiencing misfortune.
• The term has been popularized in games; for example, in the card game 'Jinx', you lose if you draw a jinx card.
• Various games incorporate the idea of jinxing, like when players say 'jinx' at the same time, leading to playful consequences.

Psychology

• Believing in being jinxed may lead to a phenomenon called 'self-fulfilling prophecy', where people’s expectations influence their outcomes.
• Cognitive biases can play a role; if someone believes they are jinxed, they might interpret their experiences in a way that confirms this belief.
• The concept of jinxed can invoke anxiety, as the fear of bad luck makes it hard to focus or take action.

Superstitions

• Many cultures have various beliefs about how to ward off jinxes, such as carrying lucky charms or performing specific rituals.
• The act of saying 'jinx' has become a popular elementary school tradition, where two people who simultaneously say a word can't speak until someone says their name.
• In folklore, certain actions or behaviors can place a person or object under a 'jinx', leading to misfortune.

Literature

• The idea of being jinxed features in various literary works, where characters face a streak of misfortune, creating humor or drama.
• Authors often use the theme of bad luck to explore characters' development, revealing how they overcome obstacles caused by being jinxed.
• Jinxed protagonists often serve as a vehicle for exploring deeper ideas about fate and personal responsibility in storytelling.

At position #40,302, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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• 40302 jinxed
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