Where does “knock on wood” come from?
The phrase “knock on wood” has been part of the vernacular since the 19th century, but, like most clichés, its origin is not clear. We knock our knuckles on a piece of wood to bring ourselves good fortune or to ward off bad luck, not having the faintest idea where that superstition came from.
One explanation traces the phrase back to ancient pagan cultures, many of whom believed that spirits and gods resided in trees. You could knock on a tree trunk in the hope of gaining protection or as a gesture of gratitude for good luck already received. The Christian tradition links the practice of knocking on wood to the wood of the cross of Christ. Some historians believe that all that “tree spirit” stuff is complete nonsense. British folklorist Steve Roud traces the phenomenon back to “Tiggy Touchwood,” a 19th century children’s game in which players became immune from being caught when they touched a piece of wood like a door or a tree.
Actually, does it really matter? Does anyone really believe that knocking on wood has some supernatural power? I certainly don’t. But on the other hand, it doesn’t hurt to give wood a little tap when we’re hoping for the best outcome.
What’s after, “knock on wood?”
Check out Dr. Carolyn Lee’s blogs on her website, she features a new cliché each week or you can order her new book, Keep Your Eye on the Ball And Other Clichès to Live By. You can also find several more short cliché stories Carolyn’s very own Cliché Dictionary. Curious about the author? Read more about Carolyn here. We hope you enjoyed this article learning more about the cliché, knock on wood.
