2007-03-01 23:21:44 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Movies
"Break a leg" is a well-known saying in theatre which means "good luck". It is typically said to actors before they go out onto stage to perform.
The expression is a theatrical superstition that replaces the phrase "good luck" which is considered bad luck. The expression is sometimes used outside the theatre as superstitions and customs travel through other professions and then into common use.
2007-03-01 23:24:59 · answer #1 · answered by Frenchie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Traditional Theory
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.
2007-03-02 07:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by tomkat1528 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For some crazy reason, breaking a leg on a movie set is considered good luck?
2007-03-02 07:23:48 · answer #3 · answered by starrynight1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing ever goes the way it's supposed to during a production. If you say "good luck" than your actors will have bad luck. If you say "break a leg" they'll do well.
2007-03-02 07:35:52 · answer #4 · answered by witchyone8180 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because one of the directors have a broken leg
2007-03-02 07:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by pokemon master Ash 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in theartre, it is bad luck to wish some one good luck before a production or filming so instead, people wish the actors bad luck by saying break a leg. it really means good luck. some sort of reverse psychology thing.
2007-03-02 12:08:21 · answer #6 · answered by twistedtexan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't mean for you to actually" Break a leg" they mean give it all you got or good luck.
2007-03-02 08:13:38 · answer #7 · answered by Katie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They were looking for someone to play Jake-the-Peg in a re-make of Treasure Island.
2007-03-02 07:26:16 · answer #8 · answered by DAVE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is another way of saying "Good Luck" without actually saying it.See saying "Good Luck" its self is bad luck so they say that.
2007-03-02 07:56:47 · answer #9 · answered by wanabie_singer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a theater superstition the worst thing to say to an actor is goodluck
2007-03-02 07:24:21 · answer #10 · answered by jacob s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋