b what was wrong with you. Rarely would you feel that you were loved. The words 'I love you' are canceled out because they are followed with the word 'but.' What you are likely to take to heart is what follows this: 'you are a pain' or 'you are so lazy.' In performance magic we use this to help people forget things we wish them not to remember, or to ensure they do not do something. 'You could look at the deck but what would it matter?' offers a seeming chance and then takes the option away stealthily. Next time you ask a friend for help and they refuse, see if they don't indeed try to have it both ways by saying something along the lines of: 'I'd love to help you but I have plans that day already.' Your friend may be willing to help usually, but the message this time is unmistakable and indirectly given: no."4 In Literature: • "Then the magic word appears, 'but.'" -- Tonya Denise Allen, Words of Wisdom (2001) By Jingo (see jingo) Meanings: • Euphemism for the name of God; an oath "'Why not?' he asked. 'Why not, by Jingo?'" -- T.H. White, The Once and Future King (19 9) • Surprise Common Magician's Applications: Production. Variations and Incantations: • By gee, by gosh, by jingo "[H]e whistled the ballad 'Oh, by gee, by gosh, by jingo' as though it were a hymn melancholy and noble." -- Sinclair Lewis, Babbitt (1921) • By jingo by gee by gosh by gum -- e.e. cummings, "next to of course god america i" (1926) • By the living jingo -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Return of Sherlock Holmes (190 ) • High jingo! -- Michael Connelly, The Closers (2005) 4 Personal correspondence (2005). The Mystic of Magic's website for magicians only is WonderWizards.com.