Who can tell me the true meaning of "knock on wood"?

Question

10 points to correct answer

Answer 1

Knock on wood

Meaning: If good luck is willing.
Example: I am sure that your tax returns will not be audited, knock on wood.
Origin: One theory is that it originated in the middle ages when there were in circulation, pieces of the Holy Rood or Cross on which Jesus was crucified. To touch one of these was supposed to bring good luck hence touch wood for good luck. There were also several Holy Foreskins around at the time ..but that was a different story!
Thanks to Zebulun

Alternatively,

The Druids, who worshipped trees, especially Oaks, wore a piece of Oak around their neck to ward off evil spirits. Hence touch wood for good luck.

Thanks to Cynthia Blackledge

Alternatively,

You knock on wood because of those wily Wood Sprites. In medieval times, people believed in mischievous creatures known as sprites. Sprites are actually spirits or ghosts who were reputed to enjoy causing trouble and wreaking havoc in the lives of the living. Among the most mischievous were wood sprites.

If you were to mention something good, the wood sprites would try to foul it up. The thought was that if you knocked on the wood when you said these things, the wood sprites would not be able to hear you because of the knocking sound. Hence they would leave you alone.


I added the website because this is a great website to tell u the origins of phrases!!!

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

The origin is unknown, though some writers have pointed to pre-Christian rituals involving the spirits of sacred trees such as the oak, ash, holly or hawthorn. There is, I’m told, an old Irish belief that you should knock on wood to let the little people know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck.

Answer 4

For some religions, spirits lived in trees, By knocking on the wood, you awoke them so you could ask for some indulgence.

It was considered lucky to do such a thing.

Those folks are gone, but these beliefs still hang on (like throwing spilled salt over your left shoulder or the black cat)

Answer 5

Long long time ago one knocked on wood to bring the worms out.
The worms destroyed the ( mostly ) expensive wood ... so bringing the worms out was similar to keep the furniture for a life time ... for poor people this was simply luck. O.K. the stupid IKEA-generation of nowadays does not know anything about good
furniture ... "table brocken ? Buy new... " ... How time has changed

Answer 6

If you're giving 10 points to the *correct* answer, that means you must know which of the answers is correct. And if you already know, then why are you asking the question?

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

an old Irish belief that you should knock on wood to let the little people know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck.

Answer 9

The origin is unknown, though some writers have pointed to pre-Christian rituals involving the spirits of sacred trees such as the oak, ash, holly or hawthorn.

Answer 10

Druids and Wiccans thought/think that there are spirits in trees that can bring luck. In "knocking on wood" you are acknowledging them.