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Why do people say 'good luck' instead of 'break a leg'?
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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. Joan told me about your presentation.
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.
Oct 12, 2021 · The site explains that the first instance of “Break a leg” used to mean “Good luck” was published in 1921. It referred to the custom of saying, “I hope your horse breaks a leg” to mean the opposite, that the horse would win the race. By 1939, the phrase turned up in a reference to actors backstage.
The term ‘break a leg’ appears to come from the belief that one ought not to utter the words ‘good luck’ to an actor. By wishing someone bad luck, it is supposed that the opposite will occur. Other superstitions are that it is bad luck to whistle in a theatre, to say the final line of a play during dress rehearsal, or to say the name of ...
Aug 9, 2021 · “Break a leg” is a phrase that means “ good luck .” It’s typically said to actors before they go on stage for a performance, particularly on opening night. It’s not limited to performers,...
May 21, 2021 · Whether you're a classical actor waiting to take the stage in Hamlet or you're nervously waiting for an important job interview, the phrase "break a leg" is meant to bring you good luck. It's just one English idiom with many possible origins and a steady place in our vocabulary.
Jul 28, 2021 · The common story behind "break a leg" is that it began as a replacement for "good luck"—a phrase that's actually considered bad luck if spoken out loud in theater. The...
