There are many “sayings” or “phrases” or even “words” we use more than we realize, but do not actually know their origin or what their purpose. We are going to take a look at a few common ones…and then decide…should we continue saying them!?!

“Knock On Wood”

Where did this saying come from? “Knocking on Wood” is thought to have come from folklore of ancient Indo-Europeans, or possibly people that predated them. Indo-Europeans believed the trees were homes to various spirits. Touching/knocking a tree would invoke the protection or blessing of the spirit they believed resided in that said tree. Christians ties the practice to the wood of the cross of crucifixion. There are many similar traditions across the world. For instance, in Bosnia, the habit of knocking on wood when saying something positive or affirmative about someone or something, knocking on wood would affirm that statement not to change. In Brazil, 3 knocks are required after giving an example of a bad thing happening negates the statement, therefore preventing it from happening. Bulgaria’s superstition about knocking on wood is reserved for protection against the evil and is not used for attracting good luck. In English folklore, knocking on wood referred to when people spoke of secrets. They went into the isolated woods to talk privately and “knocked” on the trees when they were talking to hide their communication from evil spirits that would be unable to hear if they knocked on the trees. People all over the world have used this phrase or literal action in many superstitions ways. The original meaning as stated above was to invoke spirits believed to reside in the trees. Be careful the next time you say the catch phrase or literally knock on wood. . . you might be invoking something you didn’t plan on!

“Scapegoat”

How many times have we heard people use the word “scapegoat” when referring to someone that takes the blame for something often times they had no part of? How many times have we used this term ourselves in everyday conversation? The typical definition of a scapegoat is one that bears the blame for others. Did you know this originated from the scriptures? Lets take a look at the scripture Leviticus 16:10.

Leviticus 16:10 - But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before The Most High, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

This particular scripture speaks of two goats chosen for the day of atonement. One was sacrificed, the the other one was spared. The second goat had the sins of the people placed upon it and then let go back into the wilderness. This goat was literally the first ever scapegoat.

“Cakewalk”

The cakewalk originated in the mid-19th century as a dance performed by enslaved people on Southern plantations. The dance was originally called the "prize walk" because the winner received an elaborately decorated cake. The cakewalk might have developed as a mockery of the well mannered dances of white slave owners. How does this “cakewalk” work?  The cakewalk involved couples standing in a square formation, with men on the inside perimeter. Steps included a high-leg prance, tilting the head, shoulders, and upper torso backward, and turning corners with precision.   Plantation owners served as judges for this contest, the slave owners didn’t quite catch on that their slaves might just have been mocking them during these dances.  Obviously a form of entertainment for the slave owners at the cost of the slaves.  Cakewalk was also known as “chalkline-walk” and the “walk-around”.  The phrases “takes the cake” and “cakewalk” comes from this dance. The exact year and location of the cakewalk's origin are still unknown, but oral histories from enslaved people say it began in the enslaved quarters of Southern plantations.