2006-06-27 04:39:00 · 7 answers · asked by Bandya 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Knocking on wood, and the spoken expression "knock on wood" or "touch wood" are used as a charm to bring good luck or to avoid "tempting fate" after making some boast or similar statement.
It is commonly thought that knocking on wood has been a superstitious action to ward off evil throughout history. Some believe it has to do with knocking on the wooden cross. Another explanation for this practice is the pagan belief that spirits (dryads) lived in trees. By knocking on the wood of a tree while making some sort of a bold statement, the speaker could prevent the spirit from hearing him and stop the spirit from interfering.
However, there is no evidence for such theories, and the superstition has not been traced beyond children's games of tag of the early nineteenth century.
According to Steve Roud, the earliest documented references to "touching wood" are from 1805 and 1828 and concern chasing games like "Tiggy-touch-wood", where you are safe from being "tagged" if you "touch wood". Says Roud, "Tiggy-touch-wood" was an extremely well-known game, and it is most likely that the phrase passed into everyday language."
The expression is usually used in the hope that a good thing will continue to occur after it has been acknowledged. So, for example, one might say: "The rain looks like holding off, touch wood", or "Touch wood, I'm much better now."
In the movie Casablanca, Dooley Wilson sings a song, "Knock on Wood".
2006-06-27 04:42:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"wood" is often referred to as a slang term for the erect male penis. A decent example is the phrase... I've got a "woody". So in the context that your question poses...the phrase "touch wood" means just that. The other phrase almost as common is "knock on wood" as has been explained in some of the other answers abve and below. The superstious ranting of this phrase is likened to such phrases as "with Gods help" or in contrast; the polar version of same.
2006-06-27 12:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You touch wood for good luck.
The custom is thought to originate from Pagan times when trees were held in high esteem. People believed that 'wood spirits' inhabited the trees and woodlands. To touch a tree with respect is thought to indicate that the person was in search of protection from the particular wood spirit.
2006-06-27 12:28:55 · answer #3 · answered by Jojo S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure why anyone would want to use it. It is a sign of superstition. If you say "touch wood", it means that you are touching wood for good luck so that something bad doesn't happen.
2006-06-27 11:43:36 · answer #4 · answered by Larry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you express a thought or make a statement about an event or potential outcome that you hope occurs, you might add the expression "touch wood" to the end of your statement.
2006-06-27 11:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I know is she's getting dropped off if she refuses to TOUCH WOOD for very much longer!
2006-06-27 11:42:45 · answer #6 · answered by Shannon W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i say Knock Wood..it means you said something might happen and you are knocking wood to make sure that you saying it doesn't make it so....
2006-06-27 11:42:24 · answer #7 · answered by susuze2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋