can u answer why is this tendency to say TOUCHWOOD when anything happens good?

Answer 1

there's nothing confused here, knock on wood and touch wood are interchangeable. ive heard both. as for the reasoning behind it, no one knows for sure, but a google search yielded these results. the last one (and possibly the silliest) is the one ive heard most often:

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.

Thanks to Coach Alan and Fluke

Answer 2

I think you have something mixed up here ^_^ The term you are probably thinking of is "knock on wood," which is an expression used to avoid tempting fate (or jinxing something) by boasting about something. If you say, "Well it looks like the rain stopped, knock on wood" it is added because if right after you said that, it happened to start raining again, people might blame you for "tempting the fates" or "jinxing it," and thus, causing the rain. If you do not say this, the phrase normally used is "I spoke too soon." Overall, its just a superstition, like avoiding black cats, etc.

Answer 3

I've heard both "knock wood" and "touch wood."

I believe this may have come from Norse mythology and the belief that the spirit of the god Odin (also called Woden) was associated with trees. Touching wood when acknowledging good fortune or wishing for something is a way of recognizing the god, sort of like saying "God willing"....

Answer 4

It is the superstitious handling of a wooden object representing the cross

Answer 5

its basically a human tendency when something is good happening with them.. they don;t want to loos that... or they fear that.. if good thing is happening.. something bad will happen to them in near furute... and to avoid that they keep on saying touch wood :)