Where does the phrase "Knock on wood" come from?

Answer 1

Here's an answer from a site called World Wide Words-- there seem to be a few suggested origins, both pagan and Christian (where the wood would refer to the cross). It's an interesting question!

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tou1.htm

"To touch wood or knock on wood is a superstition action to ward off any evil consequences or bad luck, perhaps because of some recent action you’ve taken or untimely boasting about your good fortune (“I’ve never been in danger of drowning, touch wood”); it can also be a charm to bring good luck.

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. There’s also a belief that the knocking sound prevents the Devil from hearing your unwise comments. Others have sought a meaning in which the wood symbolises the timber of the cross, but this may be a Christianisation of an older ritual. It wasn’t always wood that was lucky: in older days, iron was also thought to have magical properties, and to touch iron was an equivalent preventative against ill-fortune.

The phrase itself is relatively modern, as the oldest citation for the British version of the phrase, touch wood, that I can find dates only from 1899. The American equivalent knock on wood is roughly contemporary, with my first example from 1905."

Answer 2

Knock On Wood Origin

Answer 3

My pastor have ask me to look up on Google "knock on wood " during Sunday school today. My last name is "wood" . I think that is why she ask me to look it up. When something good happen the phrase comes up "Knock on Wood. Once in a while I will hear some one say " Knock on Wood " I consider it as good saying . A compliment you might say .

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Where does the phrase "Knock on wood" come from?

Answer 5

What a good question

Answer 6

" 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." " - Wikipedia

Answer 7

Something to do with spirits hearing you say something good. It was in Medieval times I'm pretty sure, and people would knock on wood so the supposed spirits wouldn't hear them and make bad stuff happen.

Answer 8

Jinx, like any time you and someone else say the same thing you say "jinx...knock on wood!" so you can still talk.

Answer 9

It has something to do with knocking bad spirits out of wood.

Answer 10

from the song duh!