The American equivalent knock on wood is roughly contemporary, with my first example from 1905. 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. (used when knocking on something wooden to assure continued good luck ) The car's still in good shape, knock on wood. ![]() 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. ![]() People sometimes knock on something made of wood when they say this. There’s also a belief that the knocking sound prevents the Devil from hearing your unwise comments. something you say when you want your good luck to continue. 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. Whats 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. Knock-on-wood definition Meanings (idiomatic, US) To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement. 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. ![]() A superstitious phrase said after mentioning good fortune in order to prevent bad luck from occurring, often said in lieu of or while simultaneously actually touching a wooden surface. 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. knock wood Hopefully this will be or continue to be the case hopefully good luck will prevail.
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