Stuff You Should Know
Short Stuff: Knock on Wood
Wed Apr 03 2024Description
This episode explores the origins and practices of knocking on wood for good luck. It delves into the ancient Celtic belief in tree spirits, the evolution of the practice through games and cultural variations, and other lucky practices from around the world.
Insights
Knocking on wood is a common superstition practiced worldwide.
The act of knocking on wood is believed to ward off bad luck or avoid tempting fate.
The origins of knocking on wood can be traced back to ancient Celtic beliefs.
The Celts believed that trees, particularly oak trees, harbored spirits and knocking on wood was a way of waking up these spirits for good luck.
Different cultures have variations of the practice.
In Greece and Jewish culture, spitting is considered a lucky practice. In Denmark, people throw broken dishes towards friends' houses on New Year's Eve for good luck. China has a tradition of sweeping dirt into a pile and throwing it out the back door to bring in good luck.
Chapters
- The Easy Street Murders
- Knocking on Wood
- Ancient Celts and Oak Trees
- Origins of Knocking on Wood
- Other Lucky Practices
The Easy Street Murders
00:00 - 00:29
- 47 years ago, on a warm summer's night in Melbourne, Susan Bartlett and Suzanne Armstrong were studded to death in their home in Easy Street, Collingwood. Suzanne's 16-month-old son was asleep in his cot at the time.
- The double homicide left the community shocked, no one has ever been charged, and critical questions remain unanswered.
Knocking on Wood
00:34 - 02:14
- Knocking on wood is done to ward off bad luck or avoid tempting fate.
- These days, we knock on wood when we're saying something that we don't want the opposite to happen.
- Research has shown that taking action, such as throwing a ball or holding onto a ball, can make people feel like they have secured good luck or staved off bad luck.
Ancient Celts and Oak Trees
02:14 - 03:05
- The practice of knocking on wood can be traced back to the ancient Celts who believed that trees, particularly oak trees, harbored spirits.
- Knocking on wood was a way of waking up the spirits and seeking their help for good luck.
Origins of Knocking on Wood
04:02 - 05:34
- The origins of knocking on wood may also be attributed to a game called "Tig Touch Wood" in 19th century Britain.
- The practice of touching wood or knocking on wood for good luck may have evolved from this game.
- Different cultures have variations of the practice, such as touching iron in Italy or pulling on the earlobe in Turkey.
Other Lucky Practices
08:30 - 13:02
- Spitting is considered a lucky practice in Greece and Jewish culture.
- In Denmark, people save their broken dishes all year and throw them towards friends' houses on New Year's Eve for good luck.
- Crossing fingers may have originated from early Christians using it as a symbol of the cross.
- In China, people sweep dirt into a pile and throw it out the back door to bring in good luck.
- In Thailand, wearing a penis amulet is believed to bring good luck.