wood [OE] The first meaning of wood was ‘a tree’, although the sense ‘small forest’ was found soon after. People touch wood (or in North America knock on wood) to ward off bad luck. The expression is recorded only since 1829, with knock on wood early 20th century. Be unable to see the wood from the trees is older, dating from the mid 16th century. Another phrase relating to the ‘small forest’ sense is out of the woods, meaning ‘out of danger or difficulty’. This probably comes from the 18th-century proverb don’t halloo [shout for joy] till you are out of the wood. See also nasty, neck, spoon.