![]() ![]() In German folklore, it was thought that supernatural beings lived within trees and could be called upon (by knocking) for protection. Or it could just be funny.Ī: Good question. It could be that subconsciously appearing less smart may invite more good fortune. And in this case, if someone taps their own head when saying “touch wood” or “knock on wood”, it’s a little dose of self-deprecating humour to go with the superstition. Q: But Woody from Toy Story was probably the smartest character.Ī: Well, that’s an exception. So why do this?Ī: It’s to indicate they have a head made of wood – and therefore not very smart. Q: Ah, that was what Rezoana wanted to know. But it’s not necessary.Ī: And other times they knock on their head for comic effect. Both are a form of superstition – a way to avoid tempting fate and bring about (or continue) good luck.Ī: “I’ve answered every quiz question correct so far, touch wood.” And: “Hopefully I’ll find out before I die, touch wood.”Ī: Anyway, sometimes while saying it, the speaker may actually touch or knock on a table or other wooden item if it’s nearby – you may have done so yourself. So both “knock on wood” and “touch wood” have the same meaning though, right?Ī: Yes. ![]() The rest of world favours “knock on wood”.Ī: It’s like thunder. Idioms are usually rather culture-specific beasts.Ī: Australia and Britain are actually the only ones that say “touch wood”. In fact, it’s quite rare to have a phrase like this used all around the world in some way – across languages and cultures. Q: Hi AWC, one of our readers, Rezoana R, wants to know about the phrase “touch wood” and why we sometimes knock on our foreheads.Ī: Okay, so let’s start by understanding that phrases like this don’t just grow on trees.Ī: Even those. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. How to Build a Successful Freelance Copywriting BusinessĮach week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |