jink

[ jingk ]

noun

1. jinks, prankish or frolicsome activities.
2. British Dialect. chink ²

jink

/ dʒɪŋk /

verb

1. to move swiftly or jerkily or make a quick turn in order to dodge or elude

noun

1. a jinking movement

Word History and Origins

Origin of jink¹

1690–1700; variant of dial. chink to gasp violently; compare Old English cincung boisterous laughter

Word History and Origins

Origin of jink¹

C18: of Scottish origin, imitative of swift movement

Example Sentences

The answers to these questions may or may not be found in Jackass Forever, the fourth feature-length collection of primo Jackass high jinks.

From Time

These modes both add an extra layer of physical high jinks to the game since players must chase after their golf balls.

From Washington Post

After 20 years of full-throttle heists, races and high jinks, the series finally succumbs to an origin story.

From Washington Post

According to Skeat jingle, “a frequentative verb from the base jink,” is allied to chink, and chink is “an imitative word”.

From Project Gutenberg

The next weapon tried was Jink's double back-action revolving cannon for ferry-boats.

From Project Gutenberg

He had bare time to jink between the two as they whizzed past.

From Project Gutenberg

I dont suppose a great jink like you knows enough to get down and take a ladys bag?

From Project Gutenberg

The back window being up a jink, I heard the two confabbing.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Jink

What does jink mean?

The noun jink is most often used in the plural form jinks to refer to prankish or mischievous activities.

Jinks is rarely used, except for in the much more common term high jinks (also commonly spelled hijinks), which refers to playful, mischievous, or rowdy activity.

High jinks usually implies a combination of fun and mischief. Activities that are called high jinks are often silly and mischievous and they may be rowdy, but they’re usually not harmful. They include things like minor pranks or the kinds of activities done during a happily unrestrained celebration. Sometimes, the term refers to a series of silly or chaotic events or interactions. This is especially the case in the phrase high jinks ensue, as in The movie is about a man who has to adopt 11 ostriches—high jinks ensue. 

However, high jinks is sometimes used in a more negative way to refer to mischief or wrongdoing that’s absurd or incompetent, as in The administration is up to its usual high jinks again—luckily they’re too inept to pull any of it off. 

The word jink can also be used as a verb meaning to move quickly or in a jerky motion to elude or avoid something. It can also be used as a noun referring to such a movement. These senses of the word are also not commonly used. A much more common word that means the same thing is juke.

The plural jinks should not be confused with the word jinx, which can be a noun referring to something that brings bad luck or a verb meaning to bring bad luck to—to place a jinx on.

Example: As a substitute teacher, I know exactly what kind of high jinks students will participate in when they think they can get away with it.

Where does jink come from?

The first records of the word jink in reference to mischievous behavior come from right around 1700. This sense of the word may derive from a word meaning “to gasp violently,” perhaps in reference to intense laughter. The Old English word cincung, meaning “boisterous laughter,” may be related.

High jinks often refers to the kind of playful activities that end up with the participants laughing themselves silly. The word almost always implies some level of mischief or rowdiness. It is particularly associated with pranks, but usually the kind of pranks that the pranked person can also laugh at.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for jink?

• antic
• juke

What are some words that share a root or word element with jink? 

• high jinks

What are some words that often get used in discussing jink?

• prank
• mischievous
• playful
• activity

What are some words jink may be commonly confused with?

 

• jinx

 

How is jink used in real life?

Jink is rarely used outside of the term high jinks. 

#Halloween is the perfect day to look back on some of our staff high jinks and #pranks, and there have been quite a few! Do you remember when we plastic wrapped our Head of Education Brian Cofrancesco's desk? He sure does! #CTOldStateHouse pic.twitter.com/WREK8I4bTl

— Connecticut's Old State House (@CTOldStateHouse) October 31, 2019

April Fools' Day pranks: Pokemon, cats, and other high-tech high jinks (pictures) http://t.co/LLTYqoUEL2 pic.twitter.com/S5Fw0GvBsF

— CNET (@CNET) April 1, 2014

Anyone want to be in cahoots with me? Which high jinks will ensue is TBD.

— SpacedMom (@copymama) August 1, 2017

 

Try using jink!

True or False? 

Jink can be used as a verb meaning to move in a jerky motion.