A charm like that of the “evil eye.” The word is probably a corruption of Voodoo. Hence to HOODOO, to place under a charm.
1889. The prospect of pleasing his party, and at the same time escaping a hoodoo, must be irresistibly attractive.—N.Y. Sun, March 20. (Century Dict.)
1895. Like the Mississippi, [the St. Lawrence] hoodoos whoever once touches it.—Chicago Advance, July 25. (N.E.D.)
1902. Bartell’s got the whole gang hoodooed—the blasted blockhead!—W. N. Harben, ‘Abner Daniel,’ p. 300.
1909. It was the hope of political reward that first drew a following to Hearst; and it was the final conviction, that a fatal “hoodoo” rested upon him, so that he could never fill the offices with his friends and employees, which left him so … ridiculous a figure in the last campaign.—N.Y. Evening Post, April 19.
