Commentator’s curse is something that we all know how lethal it can be for a batsman. Sachin Tendulkar knows that better. Playing at 87 Runs, a boundary on the first ball followed by a six and then a lot of appreciation from the crowd as well as from the commentators depicting his amazing batting skills in a very humorous manner. And right in the next ball, Sachin Tendulkar is out.
The commentators might have suggested him to ‘touch a wood’ before playing in his nervous 90’s, although the fact remains the same that Sachin was already holding a ‘wooden’ bat. So what is this ‘Touchwood’ and why do people say it ? How did this come into existence ? These are some unanswered questions that we always wanted an answer for. RIGHT ? ?
According to many people it’s a superstitious belief that when you compliment or say something too good about a person or a thing, it may somehow turn against him and bad things will start to happen. But if you touch any wooden object by saying “touch wood” those bad stuff will not happen to him and he won’t face any bad luck.
Now there is no specific origin of this phrase. Our world has a population of more than 7 Billion. In Hindi we have saying, ‘Jitni Muhhh, Utni Batien’, whose literal translation will be somewhat like ‘More mouths will have more talks’ ( Correct me if I am wrong ). So here are some series of possible origins of this phrase.
- Some people believe that this tradition was derived from ‘Pagans’ who thought that trees were the homes of spirits, fairies and many other mystical creatures. Under such situations and circumstances, people used to knock or touch the wood to request for good luck, or to distract spirits having any kind of evil intention against them. When in need of favor, a person politely mentioned his or her wish to a tree and then touch the bark, representing the “first knock”. The second knock was to say thank you.
<li>Other people believe that the idea of knocking or touching wood to bring you good luck, may have been adapted by Christians. A lot of Christian communities believe that by touching wood, you are indeed touching the wood of the cross and by doing this you are seeking the protection of God. Also, there were people who believed that by carrying pieces of wood or the true cross, it would bring them good luck.
- Some people believe that the term ‘touch wood’ came from the 18th Century Auction House where if a person placed a bid on live stock or an item he would hope that the auctioneer would “touch wood” (Strike The Hammer at Gavel) at his bid. When the auctioneer touches the wood, the person who placed the bid wins that lot. Hence the saying goes “. And this why and how ‘Touch Wood’ began to be used as a winning phrase or a good luck.
- At last some old age miners also believe that this term was earlier used by coal miners. They would knock on each wooden roof support to test that it was not rotten. After all, its about their life.
Well I hope that I was able to clear some of your doubts. If you have any extra relevant information regarding this subject, please feel comfortable to share it with us ! !