Where does the expresion "break a leg" come from?

Question

when was it first used and why (under what circumstances)

Answer 1

The "Hals und Beinbruch" theory is one of several. There is also the theory that it referred to breaking into a kneel (breaking the leg line) in order to pick up money that was thrown onto the stage as a tip (as was common in Shakespearean England). Another theory goes back to the theatre of ancient Greece, when people showed approval by stomping their feet. If someone was particularly enthusiastic, they might "break a leg" in approval. Yet another theory is that it refers to the actor who shot Lincoln (John Wilkes Boothe) who broke his leg when jumping from the stage after the assassination. That one seems a bit of a stretch to me. So, the answer is not certain and apparently hotly debated.

Answer 2

As far as I m aware, its this: Theatre people are very superstitious and its considered terribly bad luck, for some reason, to wish someone 'good luck' before a performance. To get round this, performers, or their well wishers, say, 'break a leg' meaning the opposite, so that they are not actually using the dreaded words but the meaning is clear to everyone who understnds what they are on about!

Answer 3

In the U.K., the most common idea of origin for the expression comes from tradition. Historians know from the time of King James I and Shakespeare's King's Men that actors would on occasion receive tips on top of their salaries. Rather than receiving tips directly from the company or theatre, tipping was left to the audience. During the final bows or curtain call, audiences would throw money, usually coins, onto the stage depending on how well they enjoyed the performance. In some bad performances they would throw rotten vegetables, but in the good cases, money. Actors would then 'take a knee', effectively breaking their leg line, on stage and pick up the money. As a result when you wish someone to 'break a leg' it refers to wishing them success in their performance so in end they would have to kneel down and collect a welcoming tip. Theatre evolved and the tradition of tipping changed. This tradition led to the tradition of throwing flowers on stage, as well as presenting flowers. The expression continued through theatre as it was still applicable and later became tradition.

Answer 4

From the early German circus performers. It is a kind of negative good luck wish: "Hals- und Beinbruch." {lit.neck and leg break). Today I hear the variation: "break your neck carefully."