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What is the origin of the phrase 'Knock on wood' or 'Touch wood'?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The exact origin of the phrase "knock on wood" is unknown, however many speculate that is could have come from rituals in early times where trees were considered sacred spirits. Others believe the phrase originated in Ireland. To knock on wood was to alert leprechauns that you were thanking them for giving you good luck. Another popular belief is that by knocking on wood you prevent the devil from hearing what you have just said, which in turn prevents the action from occurring. It is also possible that the origination of the phrase "knock on wood" is derived from Christianity and the wood is a reference to the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
The British version of this expression, 'touch wood,' is supposed to have derived from a 17th century practice of warding off bad luck by touching something made of wood while saying 'absit, omen!'
Phrase maven Gary Martin (please see link) says it became 'knock on wood' in the United States by the early 20th century.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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How did the phrase slash action knock on wood come to be?
The derivation may be the association that wood and trees have with good spirits in mythology, or with the Christian cross. It used to be considered good luck to tap trees to let the wood spirits within know you were there. Traditions of this sort still persist in Ireland. The British version - touch wood, had an earlier Latin version used when touching wood - absit omen!, meaning 'far be that omen from us'. This dates from at least the early 17th century, when it is quoted by Heywood. It isn't clear when touch wood began to be used. It must have been well-known by 1849, when The Boy's Own Book published the rules of a children's game that derived from the phrase: "This game is sometimes called 'Touch-iron' or 'Touch-wood'; in these cases the players are safe only while they touch iron or wood, as may be previously agreed. They are liable to be touched only when running from one piece of wood or iron to another." Knock on wood - the American version, is known from the early 20th century. For example, The Indianapolis Star, September 1908: "He is a promising looking youngster, and once we get on velvet (knock on wood!) the New York fans will get a chance to see him in action. When that time comes (knock on wood again!) it is more than likely that he will not disappoint."
What is the origin of phrase cheap as chips?
Comes from the time when wood chips were an inexpensive commodity
The adverb phrase in Have you ever hammered a nail into a piece of wood?
into a piece of wood
What does the phrase hauling timber mean?
Carrying wood, of course.
What is the definition of morning wood?
Morning wood is an English phrase which meani an erection when a man or boy wakes up from sleep.
Where did the phrase knock on wood come from?
The phrase 'knock on wood' is believed to be Germanic in origin. In history it was believed that tiny but lucky creatures lived in the wood. Knocking on the wood would bring them out to gran you good luck.
What does touch wood or knock on wood mean?
Touch or knock on wood is an old superstition based on the belief that spirits resided in trees and plants. You touch wood (some people say knock on wood) to ask for good luck or the spirit's blessings.
What is the origin of the idiom 'Knock on wood'?
Probably from sailors who would "touch the (wooden) ship" for good luck. Without a ship to touch, landlocked sailors may have used a piece of wood as a symbolic one.
Origin of expression Knock on wood?
to try to get a blessing from the nyad/dryad believed to live in the tree the wood came from.
How did the phrase slash action knock on wood come to be?
The derivation may be the association that wood and trees have with good spirits in mythology, or with the Christian cross. It used to be considered good luck to tap trees to let the wood spirits within know you were there. Traditions of this sort still persist in Ireland. The British version - touch wood, had an earlier Latin version used when touching wood - absit omen!, meaning 'far be that omen from us'. This dates from at least the early 17th century, when it is quoted by Heywood. It isn't clear when touch wood began to be used. It must have been well-known by 1849, when The Boy's Own Book published the rules of a children's game that derived from the phrase: "This game is sometimes called 'Touch-iron' or 'Touch-wood'; in these cases the players are safe only while they touch iron or wood, as may be previously agreed. They are liable to be touched only when running from one piece of wood or iron to another." Knock on wood - the American version, is known from the early 20th century. For example, The Indianapolis Star, September 1908: "He is a promising looking youngster, and once we get on velvet (knock on wood!) the New York fans will get a chance to see him in action. When that time comes (knock on wood again!) it is more than likely that he will not disappoint."
What does knock knock on wood mean?
Knock on wood means you are hoping that it happens.
What is the origin of phrase cheap as chips?
Comes from the time when wood chips were an inexpensive commodity
What does knock on the wood mean?
Knock on wood means you are hoping that it happens.
What is a sentence with knock on wood?
All my children are healthy, knock on wood.
Where does the saying knock on wood come from and what does it mean?
Back in the past, people used to believe that the gods live in the tree trunks, so by touching them they get blessed.Hope this amendment to this answer from another helpsMeaningThe phrase 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. The phrases are usually used when one is already experiencing some good fortune and hope that it will continue - e.g. "I've been winning on every race - touch wood".OriginThe derivation may be the association that wood and trees have with good spirits in mythology, or with the Christian cross. It used to be considered good luck to tap trees to let the wood spirits within know you were there. Traditions of this sort still persist in Ireland. See also - the darling buds of May.The British version - touch wood, had an earlier Latin version used when touching wood - absit omen!, meaning 'far be that omen from us'. This dates from at least the early 17th century, when it is quoted by Heywood. It isn't clear when touch wood began to be used. It must have been well-known by 1849, when The Boy's Own Book published the rules of a children's game that derived from the phrase:"This game is sometimes called 'Touch-iron' or 'Touch-wood'; in these cases the players are safe only while they touch iron or wood, as may be previously agreed. They are liable to be touched only when running from one piece of wood or iron to another."Knock on wood - the American version, is known from the early 20th century. For example, The Indianapolis Star, September 1908:
Why do you knock on wood?
you knock on wood because say you say something like iv never broken a bone in my life you would say knock on wood and knock on wood 3 times so you dont jinx your self and break a bone tomarow. The origin of "knock on wood" is a bit cloudy. It seems to trace back to the European idea of touching wood to ward off bad luck, or acknowledge good luck. The knocking probably stems from the idea of a knocking sound preventing the Devil from hearing unwise statements. The modern American usage began early in the 20th century. There isn't any specific thing to do (you don't have to knock specifically three times as cited above), but the act is common.
When was Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd album - created?
Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd album - was created in 1967.
