Knocking on wood

"Knock on wood" redirects here. For other uses, see Knock on Wood.

Knocking on wood, and the spoken expression "knock on wood" or "touch wood" are used to express a desire 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, knock on wood", or "Knock on wood, I'm much better now." Another example would be "I have never had to use my gun before, knock on wood".

In the Arab World, "امسك الخشب" (imsek el-khashab) is said and has the same meaning.

Christian Arabs use another expression "بإسم الصليب" (b-ism as-salib) which literally means "in the name of the cross." It is an expression of gratitude to Christ for His blessings. Muslims, also, have a similar expression "بسم الله ماشاء الله لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله" (b-ism Allah, ma sha' Allah la hawla wla kowa illa be'Allah) which means "in the name of Allah, what Allah desires." Both expressions are said when a person/people admire something and would not want this thing to be "harmed" by the "evil eye."

In Modern Assyrian language a similar expression "mxi al qaisa" (literally "knock on wood!") is sometimes used. The meaning is the same.

In Belgium (Flanders) they say: "hout vasthouden", which would translate as "touching or holding wood". If possible when saying this, they touch a table or door or something else made of wood.

In Bulgaria "чукам на дърво" (chukam na durvo) - the same meaning.

In Brazil this expression exists: "bater na madeira". It has the exact same meaning.

In Czech this exists as well, being said "klepat na dřevo". The meaning is the same.

In Denmark "bank under bordet" (knock under the table) is a commonly used phrase, which is often used as a part of the phrase "7-9-13, bank under bordet", where "7-9-13" is just another way to say touch wood.

In Germany the version "auf Holz klopfen" (knock on wood) can be accompanied by the phrase "Toi, toi, toi" (probably derived from the Old German word for 'Devil' or form other traditions of spitting over your left shoulder three times for the purpose of warding off the Devil) which is still used as a charm to ward off evil or as a good luck charm for thespians out of superstition that wishing an actor good luck brings the opposite.

In Finland "koputtaa puuta" is used for the same purpose. It also means exactly the same as the English equivalent.

In France "toucher du bois" is used with the exact same meaning.

In Greece "chtipa xilo" is used for the same purpose. It also means exactly the same as the English equivalent ("knock on wood").

In Italy a similar superstition exists, it's said "Toccare ferro" and the meaning is similar: one must touch metal, preferably iron.

In Iran it's said "bezan be takhte (Template:Lang-fa)" and the meaning is similar; a wish that something will or will not occur. (Also to ward off the evil eye.)

In Malta the version "touch wood" is mostly used and one must touch wood when saying it.

In Netherlands, the term "afkloppen" (knock off), is used, sometimes accompanied by "op ongeverfd hout" (on unpainted wood).

In Norway, the term "bank i bordet" ("knock the table" or rather: "knock the wooden board" ('bordet' is an ambiguity)), is used. In Norway, it is also sometimes used to stress that you're telling the truth (akin to saying "I swear to god that...").

In Poland the version of this charm is "odpukać w niemalowane" [knocking on unpainted (wood)], as the name of the charm suggests the charm only works if one knocks on unpainted wood.

In Portugal, the version, which has a similar meaning to the others all around the world, is called "bater na madeira", and when someone does this, "lagarto, lagarto, lagarto" (lizard) is uttered.

In Romania, the phrase "a bate în lemn" is often used and has the same meaning.

In Russia, the phrase "постучи по дереву" is often used and has the same meaning.

In Serbian, the phrase "da kucnem u drvo" ("да куцнем у дрво") is often used and has the same meaning.

In Sri Lanka, the phrase "touch wood" is rarely used within the English speaking community. In Sri Lankan English, the phrase "touch gold" is more frequently used to mean the same thing.

In Switzerland the Swiss German version is "Holz alange" (touch wood) – but while saying it, knocking on or tapping wood is still required. A simple touch is not enough.

In Sweden, the phrase "ta i trä" (touch wood) is commonly used as a part of the phrase "peppar peppar, ta i trä" (pepper pepper, touch wood), the double "pepper" also being used to ward off a temptation of fate. It's often shortened to just saying "peppar peppar" while knocking on wood.

In Spain, it's said "im a knock on wood", and the meaning is the same, a charm to bring good luck. In Catalonia, and in other Catalan-speaking areas, such as the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, the expression used is "tocar ferro" (literally, touch iron), but it has the same meaning.

In Trinidad and Tobago, it has the same meaning

In Turkey "tahtaya vur" (knock on wood) is used. Usually, someone else will answer: "Şeytan kulağına kurşun" (May somebody melt some lead into Satan's ear).

In Ukraine, the phrase "постукай по чомусь дерев'яному" is often used and has the same meaning.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia the term "touch wood" is used; whereas the USA term "knock on wood" is best known.

In Hong Kong, an ex-colony of the United Kingdom, the term "touch wood" has been used in everyday conversation, mixing with Cantonese. However, most Hong Kong people misperceive that "touch wood" means "heaven forbid". Most of them do not know "touch wood" is used to express hopes for good luck.

In India it's said as "Nazar Na Lage"(let there be no evil eye), in Hindi and the meaning is similar; It is used, when something seems too good. It's like saying 'touch wood'; it's said as "Kannu pada Pooguthu"(let there be no evil eye), in Tamil

In Pakistan it's said as "Nazar Na Lage" or "Nazr-e-bad door" or Khuda Na Khasta or Khuda Na Karda(let there be no evil eye), in Urdu and the meaning is similar; It is used when something seems too good. It's like saying 'touch wood'.

In Nepal it's "kasai ko ankha nalagos" (let there be no evil eye). They also say, "bhagawanko dayale" (by the grace of god).

Cultural references

• Mrs. Swithin questions the origins of the expression in Virginia Woolf's Between the Acts
• Sam sings a song with "just knock on wood" in Casablanca.
• The Eddie Floyd/Steve Cropper written Knock on Wood has been covered by over a hundred different recording artists.
• The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have a song called The Impression That I Get about knocking on wood.
• Barbra Streisand in her first movie Funny Girl, sings the song "I'd Rather Be Blue" where she states, "I'm knocking on wood" and she knocks her forehead.

See also

• Touchwood (A shopping centre, West Midlands, United Kingdom).