My knowledge and social integrity was called into question this evening (in an instant messaging group chat session) about a rule-related fact I declared to be true based on the Rules of Jinx. I've always considered the rules to be pretty straight forward, and we all know they are unflinchingly rigid, but I'm willing to accept that evidence is the best proof when someone questions you.

And what better evidence than an encyclopedia of "facts" made up by pretty much anyone who says they know what they're talking about? I went [to Wikipedia, and the entry there about the rules of Jinx](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinx_(children). I'm posting a portion of it here for easy future reference.

*A jinx can be initiated when at least two people in casual conversation unintentionally say (or type, in the case of *Internet jinx) the same word or phrase at the same time. If one of them (the "jinxer") yells "Jinx!" before any further conversation has begun, the other person (the "jinxee") is in a state of being "jinxed" and may not speak further until they are "released" from the jinx. The rules for what constitutes such a release vary. Traditionally, a jinx is ended when anyone speaks the jinxed person's name. However, a common variation says that only the jinxer can free the jinxee from their obligation to remain silent. (This is sometimes called a "private jinx" or "jinx personal lock".)

The game ends when either the jinxee is released from the jinx or when the jinxee "breaks" the jinx by speaking while in a state of being jinxed. In the latter case, the Jinxee loses the game and a penalty is exacted.

Simultaneous speaking that is planned or expected, such as during the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance* or during the singing of a song, is ineligible for a jinx to occur. A jinx may only follow a spontaneous and unexpected overlapping of conversation by both parties.*

See [the wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinx_(children) for penalties, variations and details about the Jinx Sequence.

Okay. Back to your regularly scheduled programming, already in progress...