Why do we say touchwood?

Why do we say touchwood? I have my own theory. And I find it a satisfactory explanation to when people ask “why do you have to touchwood every now and then?”

Of course there are theories about the origin of touchwood, of fairies and Gods present in wood. But my ‘scientific’ theory goes something like this. We have all studied basic science, where we were told that wood is an insulator whereas iron is not.

The image from the Science book that remained etched in my mind was that if I touch a live electricity wire and I am standing on a wooden plank, I'll stay safe because wood will save me from the electric shock.

When we say something good, in order that it doesn’t get jinxed, we touch wood. Coming to the logic, read on. Electricity is a form of energy, and so are our thoughts. If wood can save us from electricity, it can also save us from the negativity that might have accompanied our thought. The negativity of ‘now I have said it aloud, what if it doesn’t happen!’ (Now, why would the wood only prevent the negative energy, let's leave for another theory.)

But basically, when you touch wood, you expect it to absorb the negativity (if any) from your thoughts. Probably that is why in the old times, the saints used to wear ‘tulsi ki mala’ and those ‘khadaks’/ wooden slippers. The modern amount of negativity, however, can’t be contained in slippers only, we need clothes made out of wood. Designers and scientists, please make note.