#etymologyproject

Throughout history the word spell has been used to imply maleficant powers, or to recite a form of incantation; Even including in modern times within certain religious circle, in this form it is almost always perceived as a negative word, holding some kind of mystical power.

A song from the movie “Hocus Pocus” - I’m sure most people recognize this scene! 

Now my charms are all o’erthrown, And what strength I have’s mine own, Which is most faint. Now, ’tis true, I must be here confin’d by you,        4 Or sent to Naples. Let me not, Since I have my dukedom got And pardon’d the deceiver, dwell In this bare island by your spell;        8 But release me from my bands With the help of your good hands. Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails,        12 Which was to please. Now I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant, And my ending is despair, Unless I be reliev’d by prayer,        16 Which pierces so that it assaults Mercy itself and frees all faults.  As you from crimes would pardon’d be,  Let your indulgence set me free.  

One of the most common uses of the word spell, in certain groups would be to “Cast a spell...”

This may include words like, spell-like, or spelt when used in a sentence it is commonly intended to be used as a replacement for the word itself “Spell” as in “To Spell” - My references included defining the word “Slang” under Google and using Dictionary.com for variations on the word spell, as there is no definitive use of the word spell as slang.

 “They spell it Vinci and pronounce it Vinchy; foreigners always spell better than they pronounce. “

patchstar