![]() This expression alludes to the ages-old superstition that literally knocking on wood would ward off evil spirits. The American equivalent knock on wood is roughly contemporary, with my first example from 1905. A phrase used to express that something will or will not happen. 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. 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. 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. knock on wood name meaning available knock on wood name numerology is 5 and here you can learn how to pronounce knock on wood, knock on wood origin and similar names to knock on wood name. There’s also a belief that the knocking sound prevents the Devil from hearing your unwise comments. To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement. 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. ![]() ![]() 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. Q From Mike Gast: What is the origin and true meaning of knock on wood or touch wood?Ī To touch wood or knock on wood is a superstitious 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.
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