"Touch Wood" is, from what I can gather, a way of expressing one's hope that that something good will happen, or will continue to happen.
Example:
Doctor: "So let me see if I've understood this right, it's been about 3 months that you've had bad tummy pains, but they seem to have gone away in the last week..."
Patient: "Yes, that's right. Touch wood it won't come back again!"
(patient then looks frantically for wood table or chair leg to touch)
Doctor: "Well, the operation results came back clear, so we hope to have sorted the problem"
Patient: "Good! Touch wood that's the end of that!"
(patient looks around to touch some wood)
I must hear at least a good handful of patients EVERY WEEK saying "touch wood" and then frantically bending left and right to look for a bit of wood to touch. This isn't just one or two people, it's a seriously ingrained superstition in the English society.
I honestly find it insane. Not just the fact that people say "touch wood" , but then they all actually actively LOOK for a piece of wood to touch, and touch it!! Some even lean out of their beds or chairs just to touch the bit of wood!
What good do they think it's gonna do?!
I don't think I've ever hear anyone say "Good! Well, please God that'll be the end of that!" or "Well, I pray that won't come back again."
You never hear any references to God or prayer....it's always touching wood!
But you know, the ironic part is, that society as a whole has banished God and religion as being superstitious nonesense and they probably wouldn't take seriously any suggestion to get down on their knees and pray; but yet touching wood, and other such superstitions (zodiac signs, the number 13, walking under a ladder, Friday 13th) are all taken with a streak of seriousness.
4 comments:
Do you know what, you are so right? I have to admit myself to saying touch wood, just because it's become a natural thing to do. i do, however some times involve lets pray it will, but never literally seem to think about it. You've given me food for thought! Thanks Antonia! x
Apparently some people believe 'touching wood' has its origins in touching the wood of the cross - although others believe it has pagan origins (and some think it might have simply come from Children's games - where touching a tree meant you were 'safe' in your teams base).
I've always been bemused by people touching wood - but if there ever was a genuine Christian element to the 'practice' it seems to have been long forgotten anyway.
Sadly, I guess that as our country continues to reject and ignore its Christian heritage, more and more genuine expressions of Christian faith will lose their true meaning.
Thanks for posting Antonia! God bless.
Hey guys! Thanks for your comments! I'm sorry; I hope I didn't offend anyone who uses this saying.
It's just that I come across it an aweful lot, and everytime I do it strikes me as being a funny thing to say, especially when talking about one's health (which is the context in which it usually comes up).
Just seems like there are more substantial things that we can place out hope on...
But I really didn't want to offend anyone!
Perhaps if Christians 'touch wood' in the way that Anthony suggests; as a symbol of hope in the wood of the cross, then that might make more sense!
God Bless
I don't say "touch wood" but hear it a lot and have seen people actually touch wood. If someone tells you are healthy then please thank God, not touch wood! Nice post :)
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