Put a hex on someone

Origin

The word "hex" didn't waltz into English from dusty spellbooks but arrived with the vibrant, hardworking Pennsylvania German communities settling in America from the 17th century onwards. These German immigrants, known for their distinctive culture and "hex signs" on barns, carried with them a profound folk tradition that included beliefs in magic, both good and ill. A "Hexe" in German meant "witch," and the practice of casting a spell or misfortune became known as "hexerei." Thus, to "put a hex on someone" directly reflects this cultural infusion—a term born from the belief that a powerful individual, often a witch, could supernaturally bind another with bad luck or a curse, bringing the ancient dread of dark magic into common parlance.