Jinks (July 1904)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

Doug Wilson posted this Aug. 1904 cite for "jinks" as a precursor for
"jinx" ('curse, hoodoo'):

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http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0504A&L=ads-l&P=R5156
_Los Angeles Times_, 11 Aug. 1904: p. A3:
<<The Cincinnati team has done with Mike Donlin for good, and it is not
likely that this ex-Californian will cut much ice from now on. That term
in jail put the jinks on Donlin.>>
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Here are two cites from the previous month, more clearly in the 'curse'
sense:

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1904 _Los Angeles Times_ 12 July II3/2 Any one who can furnish reliable
information leading to the conviction of the miscreant who put a "jinks"
on the Los Angeles baseball club's batting eyes last spring will likely
receive a free pass for the rest of the season by advising Manager Morley.
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1904 _Oakland Tribune_ 16 July 17/7 The Heesemans and the Jesse-Moores
cannot break away from each other. Both are very good teams, but the
"jinks" is on them.
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--Ben Zimmer