text: what does the expression "touchwood" mean? ive heard this a lot of times.. what does this mean? why do people say it? when do they say it? it is an old superstition, that when you make a statement, and then worry that, by having made the statement you've somehow jinxed it, you say 'touch wood'.   eg, i think i've got the job, touch wood.  or, 'i think i did alright in that exam, touch wood!'  then, you should look around for a bit of wood to actually touch, to cement this!