Yahoo Lifestyle The Surprising Origins of 'Break a Leg'—and Why Performers Love This Quirky Good Luck Charm
“Break a leg” is an expression we’ve all heard a million times—but where does it come from exactly? What is break a leg's meaning? After all, it doesn’t exactly make sense to say “break a leg” when what we mean is “good luck!” I mean, shouldn’t it be the exact opposite?
Well, the phrase is a beloved tradition in the world of theater, and we're here to spill all the dramatic details.
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'Break a Leg' Meaning
Despite sounding like something out of a medical drama, "break a leg" is actually a way to wish someone good luck, especially before they step into the spotlight. It's the go-to phrase for actors, singers, and performers before they step out on stage.
That said, you can use it in all sorts of contexts—before a big date or an important meeting—to wish someone good luck.
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'Break a Leg' Origin
Hold onto your playbills, because the origin story of "break a leg" has a few different theories! While we can't pinpoint the exact moment this phrase made its debut, it likely strutted onto the American theater scene in the early 20th century.
Our first published cameo comes from writer Edna Ferber's 1939 autobiography, where she dishes about "all the understudies sitting in the back row politely wishing the various principals would break a leg."
The phrase could also come from the idea of race horses "breaking their legs" (AKA how they're standing) at the starting line, which some riders believed was good luck and would lead to a good race.
Some theater history buffs think "break a leg" might be a cousin of the German phrase "Hals- und Beinbruch," which means "neck and leg break." Others connect it to the Hebrew blessing "hatzlakha u-brakha," meaning "success and blessing."
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Why Do People Say 'Break a Leg'?
Like many things, it all comes back to superstition. On the night of a big show, actors believe that wishing someone "good luck" is actually bad luck. So, they flip the script and wish for something bad to happen, hoping the opposite will occur.
This quirky tradition is just one of many superstitions involved in the theater. For instance:
No whistling allowed in the theater.
Never say "Macbeth" inside a theater, or you might curse the whole show! (They call it "The Scottish Play" instead)
Always leave a "ghost light" on when the theater's empty.
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Common 'Break a Leg' Synonyms
If "break a leg" isn't your style, don't worry! There are plenty of other ways to send good vibes:
"Good luck!" (A classic for a reason—just not in the theater!)
"Knock 'em dead!"
"You've got this!"
“Godspeed!”
“May the force be with you!”
So the next time you hear someone say "break a leg," you'll know they're not wishing for actual injuries—just a standing ovation!
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