Fumsup Touchwood: A Baby with a Wooden Head

Why do we touch wood when we want to prevent something bad from happening? The origins of this practice date back to ancient times when people believed that knocking on a tree would invoke the protection or blessing of the spirit within.

Fast forward a few thousand years, and we have “Fumsup Touchwood, reporting for duty, sir!” Anthropomorphized as a baby or small creature with a wooden head, Fumsup Touchwood was at the height of popularity during the Victorian era, including during WWI when Fumsup was given to departing soldiers as a good luck charm and token of affection. (Two yarn dolls known as Nenette and Rintintin were also given to WWI soldiers as a token of good luck.) Mr. Touchwood is actually a “two-fer” — He combines the practice of knocking on wood for luck with the “thumbs up” sign, which meant “spare his life” in ancient Rome.

Not all “touch wood” charms were fashioned into the form of a person. Some were simply wooden beads or other shapes of wood that could be carried on a person at all times should the need arise.