| The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002. |
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| knock on wood |
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| Some people say, “Knock on wood,” and then knock on something made of wood for good luck, when they have made a remark that has been true up to that point and they want it to continue to be true: “I’ve never had an accident yet, knock on wood.” | 1 |
| ‡ The expression alludes to an ancient superstition that touching wood would ward off evil spirits. | 2 |
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| | | The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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