Break a Leg - Transcendence Theatre Company (2024)

FAQs

Why do they say break a leg in show business? ›

If actors were not performing, they had to stay behind the “leg line,” which also meant they wouldn't get paid. If you were to tell the actor to “break a leg,” you were wishing them the opportunity to perform and get paid. The sentiment remains the same today; the term means “good luck, give a good performance.”

Superstition against wishing an actor Good Luck! has led to the adoption of this phrase in its place. Popular etymology derives the phrase from the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth, the actor turned assassin, leapt to the stage of Ford's Theater after the murder, breaking his leg in the process.

"Break a leg" is an English language idiom used in the 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.

The phrase “break a leg” is based on the “leg line” of a stage. This is an area in the wings of the stage, marked with a line to let actors know when they became visible to the audience. Traditionally, if an actor crossed, or “broke” the leg line, they would get paid for that performance.

Why is it bad luck to say "good luck" to an actor? Some thespians believe there are theatre ghosts or fairies who like to cause mischief by making the opposite of what you want to have happen occur. Phrases like "break a leg" and "merde" are meant to confuse these theatrical pixies and defeat their obstinate ways.

The first mention of “Break a leg” was recorded in print by Robert Wilson Lynd in 1921. An urbane literary essayist, he wrote an article, “A Defence of Superstition,” about the prevalence of superstition in the theatre and horse racing.

In America, it is considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" in a theatre. Prior to performances, it is traditional for the cast to gather together to avert the bad luck by wishing each other bad luck or cursing, the expression "break a leg" replaces the phrase "good luck".

Break a leg is used in the theatrical world to mean “good luck.” Superstition says that you should never wish an actor good luck. Instead you say “break a leg.” I wouldn't use that expression in any other context.

What Does “Break a Leg” Mean? Break a leg is a commonly used idiom that means “good luck.” Remember, an idiom is an expression that means something entirely different from the literal meaning of the words used. So, if someone tells you to break a leg, don't worry; they're just wishing you good luck.

How do you say good luck in slang? ›

In the theater, you should never wish an actor “good luck.” That is considered to be unlucky. (I told you. They have strange customs.) Instead, you should say to them, “Break a leg!”

“Break a leg” origin. The phrase is believed to be rooted in the theatre community, which is known to be a bit superstitious. Performers believed saying “good luck” would actually bring bad luck on stage, so they'd tell one another to “break a leg” instead. That way, the opposite would happen.

Break a leg is an expression that means “good luck.” It's commonly said to actors, dancers, and other performers before their act because of superstitious beliefs that saying “good luck” is unlucky. Examples: Break a leg in a sentence You're going to do great at your rehearsal. Break a leg, Darlene!

One of the most common is never to say “good luck” before a show, since everyone knows uttering the phrase is, in fact, very bad luck. Actors say “break a leg” instead. But since that phrase isn't exactly dance-friendly, you and your dance friends probably tell each other “merde” before taking the stage.

Show a leg!

The traditional call of the boatswains mate on a British warship when the hands were called to turn out in the morning. It arose from the old days when seaman, who were signed on for the duration of a ships commission, were always refused shore leave when in harbour for fear that thy would desert.

Break a leg is a commonly used idiom that means “good luck.” Remember, an idiom is an expression that means something entirely different from the literal meaning of the words used. So, if someone tells you to break a leg, don't worry; they're just wishing you good luck.

You're supposed to say “break a leg” to an actor, “bump a nose” to a circus performer, “merde” -- the vulgar French word for, let's just say, manure -- to a dancer, and either “toi toi toi” or “in bocca al lupo” to an opera singer. Some performers take it very seriously.

The idiom "shake a leg" originated in the early 19th century among sailors. In the cramped quarters of a ship, hammocks were used as beds, and when it was time to wake up, sailors would "shake a leg" to swing their legs out of the hammock and begin their day.