What does "Break a leg" mean?

"Break a leg" is a typical English idiom used in the context of theatre or other performing arts to wish a performer "good luck". An ironic or non-literal saying of uncertain origin (a dead metaphor), "break a leg" is commonly said to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform or before an audition. In English (though it may originate in German), the expression was likely first used in this context in the United States in the 1930s or possibly 1920s, originally documented without specifically theatrical associations. Among professional dancers, the traditional saying is not "break a leg", but the French word "merde".

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

13 Comments

Ray Anderson

The saying started because it is considered bad luck to wish an actor good luck, so wishing them bad luck, as in breaking a leg, was considered to be the opposite - actually wishing them good luck without actually saying it.

Corey Taylor

Which is why, when they made a musical of 'The Producers', Mel Brooks included a song literally called "Never Say Good Luck On Opening Night". Some of the lyrics go "Once it's said, you are dead. You will get the worst reviews you ever read!".

Christine Parrillo

anneli, I remember reading that somewhere. I never would have been able to repeat it. Thank you, Christine, James's wife

Fred Mayes

I always thought it meant to do your best. Dance so hard you 'break a leg'. Knock 'em dead. Wow 'em. Bring the house down. Make 'em remember your name. Get famous. A little bit more over the top than 'good luck'.

Irene Townsend

Ray Anderson, My Uncle told us that, he use to play in a band both on stage and on TV, it stems from generally people who work(ed) on stage were/are very superstitious.

lls

Dario Gritti, Hey--I think you have something there!

Wayne Wood

I heard somewhere but now not sure that break a leg was that the audience loved the performance and stomped their feet to make noise causing them to break a leg. I guess I was dreaming because never heard that again

Neal Christopher Wigley

Learned this when I started doing Theatre productions in High School.

anneli

Here in Italy we have a saying "in bocca al lupo" (into the wolf's mouth), was originally used in opera and theatre to wish a performer good luck. the standard response is "crepi il lupo", meaning: may the wolf die.