I passed one of my (Japanese) coworkers in a tight area between desks today and we both said 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me) at the same moment. The first thought that came to my mind immediately after was 'Jinx!' I was rather delighted that I had dredged up that old childhood memory that I wanted to share it with her. However, I had no idea if there was a Japanese equivalent. Most likely not as those kinds of gems are cultural, not essentials like saying you're sorry.

But that wasn't the best part. I then began to explain to the younger coworker how I used to use it as a kid to solicit free favors from people ala 'JINX! Buy me a Coke!' (Or simply 'jinx'. There are probably as many ways to say it in the US as there are Americans.) And she then said, 'OH! HAPPY ICE CREAM!'

So we looked it up in one more dictionary, and sure enough, there it was... jinx. Listed as an American slang term in reference to superstition. Holy cow.