SportsAugust 31, 2026
jinxing
JINKS-ing
Definition
The act of causing bad luck, or in this context, ironically predicting a negative outcome to hopefully prevent it from happening.
Etymology
The term originated in the early 20th century, likely derived from 'jinx,' which refers to a person or thing that brings bad luck. It is thought to possibly stem from the name of the bird 'jynx,' which was used in ancient witchcraft rituals.
In the news
The author suggests that fans predicting a poor performance for the team might be 'reverse jinxing,' essentially hoping that voicing a negative prediction will act as a charm to ensure the opposite, positive outcome occurs.
WVU Fans Predict Where the Mountaineers Will Finish in the Big 12 Standings
Read the full article ↗Sports Illustrated