Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb To make contact with wood to avert bad luck, in accordance with a folk practice.
- interjection idiomatic, UK, Australia, New Zealand
Hopefully ; said while touching something wooden, to avert superstitious bad luck from what has just been said.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From a folk practice of unclear origin.
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Examples
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strev commented on the word touch wood
I typed in here for good luck
June 20, 2009
timonti commented on the word touch wood
In many countries it is also called "Knocking on wood." Reference, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocking_on_wood'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocking_on_wood
February 4, 2011
jodi commented on the word touch wood
IrE; closed AmE is knock on wood
April 27, 2011
Noticeboard commented on the word touch wood
odpukać w niemalowane
May 19, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the word touch wood
Cf. touchwood.
November 6, 2018