My superstitious post from yesterday worked. All is well for Dunwoody student printing, thanks (in reality) to Aviva's persistence and Neil's computer skills!
Beth Welch and I got curious about the origins of superstitious behavior like knocking on wood, crossing fingers, etc. Turns out there are many theories about knocking on wood. One is that in the children's game of tag, a tree is often designated "home" or a "safe" place. Another possible origin has Biblical roots, equating wood with the cross. A third idea is that in even more ancient times folks knocked on trees to ask the help of the spirits they believed dwelled within. (Hendrickson, Robert. Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, Fourth Edition, New York: Fact on File. 2008, 480-81)
The origin of "keep your fingers crossed" is also not definitive, but probably related to the "sign of the cross" as protection from evil or hope for success. Some sources (Wikipedia) attribute it to a secret code of Christian identification during persecution. Others suggest it began among African Americans in the 17th century. Tradition indicates that little fibbers also think that crossed fingers make a lie "not count." (Hendrickson, 471).
Isn't being a reference librarian fun?
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