Break a Leg?

Saint Fool · Jan 3, 2008

I thought it was a centuries-old tradition that American and British actors say "break a leg" rather than "have a good show/performance."

Well ... silly me ... it turns out that the first recorded usage of the phrase is found in the early 20th century and it has nothing to do with John Wilkes Booth (broken leg) or Sarah Bernhardt (no leg).

So, does anyone have a clue as to what English-speaking actors said before "break a leg?" We're such a superstitious lot that I can't imagine an actor saying "good luck" before a show ... but maybe they did. Even a pointer in a possible direction would be appreciated.

I'm casting my net wide on this one if for no other reason than if it appears everyone "thinks" it is an older tradition, I might be able to sneak it into an 1875 time frame without feeling too guilty about breaking my own "historically accurate" rule.

DeleyanLee · Jan 3, 2008

"Legs" is another term for the space between the lines of curtains just off stage. So "breaking a leg" is another way of saying "getting on-stage" and, IIRC, was originally used as wishes of good luck between hopefuls in the audition phase which carried over to the actual performance. Of course, that's memories from my drama classes back in the 1970's so could be entirely full of blarney.

I think you'd be safe in using it. People think it's true and they'll accept its usage without blinking. Save making them think and question for the things that really matter in the story.

Good luck.

tallus83 · Jan 3, 2008

Actors also say it is bad luck to mention a certain Shakespeare play by name.

HeronW · Jan 3, 2008

That would be 'The Scottish Play' with 3 witches, supposedly the most cursed play ever performed.

tallus83 · Jan 3, 2008

Correct, Heron.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Jan 3, 2008

I googled "origin break a leg" and could find no evidence the saying was around prior to 1925 - 1930. So if your story takes place in 1875, I wouldn't say it. How do you know that the editor isn't going to be nitpicky, or a thespian, etc?

pdr · Jan 3, 2008

Interesting!

'Break a leg' I understood to originate in the Ballet world, because that is the last thing you want to do as a dancer, so it was a form of wishing you well, and not tempting the fates.

'Bring the House down' was what I heard being used by actors.

Don Allen · Jan 3, 2008

I used to to do theatre and it was my understanding that it came from vaudville, but, and I do say but, I have no hard evidence.

Azure Skye · Jan 3, 2008

According to my book on Cliches (imagine a little accent do-flicky over the 'e') it says:

Good luck. There is some dispute as to when and where this seemingly nasty advice originated. It may be a translation of the German Hals und Beinbruch (Break your neck and leg), which allegedly originated among WWI aviators jocularly wishing each other well. In any event, it became widespread in the theatre, both in Germany and later in the US, and then came into more general use. It still is most often addressed to performers of some kind.

Mandy-Jane · Jan 3, 2008

DeleyanLee said:
"Legs" is another term for the space between the lines of curtains just off stage. So "breaking a leg" is another way of saying "getting on-stage" and, IIRC, was originally used as wishes of good luck between hopefuls in the audition phase which carried over to the actual performance. Of course, that's memories from my drama classes back in the 1970's so could be entirely full of blarney.

I think you'd be safe in using it. People think it's true and they'll accept its usage without blinking. Save making them think and question for the things that really matter in the story.

Good luck.

I believe this is correct, although I think it more specifically refers to the actual legs breaking because the curtains were being constantly opened and closed due to actors taking repeated curtain calls.

I don't know what year it originated from, but I believe it was 19th century.

kuwisdelu · Jan 3, 2008

MACBETH!

Hehe we're all going to die now. *evil grin*

Azure Skye · Jan 4, 2008

kuwisdelu said:
MACBETH!

Hehe we're all going to die now. *evil grin*

I never understood that one. I've said Macbeth many a time in the theatre and nothing happened. Hell, I even whistled, which I heard was another superstition.

Carry on.

GeorgeK · Jan 4, 2008

I know next to nothing about theatre but some things dont translate into different languages or across time and cultures. I think altering an idiom to fit your intended audience rather than being historically accurate would be fine unless it's supposed to be a historical document

Break a Leg?

Saint Fool

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

tallus83

HeronW

Down Under Fan

tallus83

Sandi LeFaucheur

pdr

Don Allen

Seeking a Sanctuary of Intelligence

Azure Skye

Huh?

Mandy-Jane

venturing ever further into the unknown

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Azure Skye

Huh?

GeorgeK

ever seeking