Ever wonder where the phrase “knock on wood” comes from? If you think about it, it’s a pretty odd little saying. Although there’s no verified explanation for it’s origin, there are some theories that seem to make pretty good sense.
Take your pick
Some say that `knocking on wood’ goes far back into ancient times, when spirits were thought to live in trees. So should danger threaten, simply rap on the trunk of a tree and summon up the aid of the good spirit within.
There is an Irish belief that you `knock on wood’ to let the leprechauns know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck.
A Jewish version says it originated during the Spanish Inquisition as temples and synagogues were built of wood they used code to use in knocking on doors to gain admission. Since this resulted in lives being saved, it became commonplace to `knock on wood’ for good luck.
Yet another theory goes back to the child’s game of `tag.’ In one version of this game the child who is able to touch a tree, thereby touching wood, is free from capture.
Have you heard any other theories? Let us know in the comments!