Search results
People also ask
What does knock on wood mean?
Where does the phrase “knock on wood” come from?
Why do people knock their knuckles on wood?
Is knocking on wood a good thing?
What does knuckle tapping on wood mean?
Why do we keep knocking on wood?
Feb 15, 2023 · “Knock on wood” comes from at least the 19th century, according to sources, but the true origin remains unknown and heavily discussed. Many believe it originated with pagan groups and...
- Bianca Alvarez
Knocking on wood (also phrased touching wood or touch wood) is an apotropaic tradition of literally touching, tapping, or knocking on wood, or merely stating that one is doing or intending to do so, in order to avoid "tempting fate" after making a favorable prediction or boast, or a declaration concerning one's own death or another unfavorable ...
The phrase “knock on wood” is a common idiom used to express a desire for good luck or to prevent bad luck from happening. Its origins can be traced back to ancient pagan beliefs where trees were considered sacred and believed to have protective powers.
said in order to avoid bad luck, either when you mention good luck that you have had in the past or when you mention hopes you have for the future: The deal will be agreed on Wednesday, knock on wood. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Good luck and bad luck. align.
- Overview
- Pagan, Christian and Other Origin Theories
- HISTORY Vault: Ultimate Secrets of Luck
There are a few possible explanations for the superstition, but little agreement on which may be the true origin.
In many cultures, it’s a common superstition for people to knock their knuckles on a piece of wood to bring themselves good fortune or ward off bad luck.
Yet while the phrase “knock on wood”—or “touch wood” in Britain—has been part of the vernacular since at the least the 19th century, there seems to be little agreement on how it originated.
13 Bizarre Superstitions
One common explanation traces the phenomenon to ancient pagan cultures such as the Celts, who believed that spirits and gods resided in trees. Knocking on tree trunks may have served to rouse the spirits and call on their protection, but it could have also been a way of showing gratitude for a stroke of good luck.
Yet another theory is that people knocked on wood to chase away evil spirits or prevent them from listening in when they boasted about their luck, thereby preventing a reversal of fortune. Christians, meanwhile, have often linked the practice to the wood of the cross from Christ’s crucifixion.
Other researchers consider knocking on wood a more recent phenomenon. In his book The Lore of the Playground, British folklorist Steve Roud traces the practice to a 19th century children’s game called “Tiggy Touchwood,” a type of tag in which players were immune from being caught whenever they touched a piece of wood such as a door or a tree.
“Given that the game was concerned with ‘protection,’ and was well known to adults as well as children, it is almost certainly the origin of our modern superstitious practice of saying, ‘Touch wood,’” he argues. “The claim that the latter goes back to when we believed in tree spirits is complete nonsense.”
Are some people luckier than others? Through a series of stories we'll explore what it means to be lucky. Along the way we reveal some amazing secrets about luck including how you just might be able to change your own luck.
WATCH NOW
Meaning. Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid bad luck or to continue having good luck.
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Knock on wood'? This phrase is used by people who rap their knuckles on a piece of wood hoping to stave off bad luck. In the UK, the phrase ‘ touch wood ‘ is used – often jokingly by tapping one’s head.
