Where did the expression “knock on wood” come from?
Knocking on wood, and the spoken expression “knock on wood” or “touch wood” are used to avoid “tempting fate” after making some boast or speaking of one’s own death. The expression is usually used in the hope that a good thing will continue to occur after it has been acknowledged. So, for example, one might say: “The rain looks like it’s holding off, touch wood”, or “Knock on wood, I’m much better now.” It is commonly thought that knocking on wood has been a superstitious action to ward off evil throughout history involving both Pagan and Christian belief systems.[1] Some believe it has to do with knocking on the wooden cross.[2] Another explanation for this practice is the pagan belief that spirits (dryads) lived in trees.[3]By knocking on the wood of a tree while making some sort of a bold statement, the speaker could prevent the spirit from hearing him and stop the spirit from interfering[citation needed] or out of respect for the wood spirit, touching a tree indicated seeking prote
