2007-08-16 05:28:22 · 6 answers · asked by dhanaura2003 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
To say thank you for a compliment-ie the appause for your preformance-You have earned a "pat on the back" for an accomplishment-take it.
2007-08-16 05:33:53 · answer #1 · answered by ARTmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from the 16th century in England. One of the forms of entertainment enjoyed by all the classes of English wealth,( rich, middle class, broke). The rich people had their own private balcony where their families and guests would have a little party and social interaction. But the broke people were standing on the ground floor. All they payed was a penny to get in and they could watch the plays showing that night. But if the beggars weren't entertained, if they thought the play was boring, dumb, etc., they start throwing the fruit and vegetables at the actors cause they wanted their moneys worth of fun. And it was perfectly acceptable and amusing for the beggars to throw produce at the actors, made sure they always acted well and everyone, including the rich people, got their moneys worth.
So if a company of actors were to make it to the end of the performance without being driven away by flying tomatoes, they would be able to have their curtain call and take a bow. Thus terms like "take a bow" or "break a leg" come from this time period. Break a leg meant also to take a bow, but the bow was slightly different than what we always see today. It was an actors privilege to take a bow.
2007-08-16 12:45:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ladies would Curtsy and The Gentleman would Bow when greeting people in Society,bowing was a polite Gesture in England ,especially in the 17th 18th and 19th Centuries.Taking a Bow in the theater occurs when accepting applause after a performance.
2007-08-16 12:49:57 · answer #3 · answered by Lindsay Jane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean as opposed to making a bow? If so, it's what actors do at the end of a play. They 'take' a bow as their reward and often go on the stage to 'take' it individually.
2007-08-16 12:34:33 · answer #4 · answered by derfini 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 'show' is over. you have done well take a bow.
It comes from the old stage plays where once the show was over, all the people involved with the play, ballet, performing arts ...etc. would stand all together and bow. This was a way for them to say thanks for the applause.
2007-08-16 12:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by Veteranschoice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It basically means accept the accolades due to you.
2007-08-16 14:16:37 · answer #6 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋