It’s one of the most ironic phrases in the English language. When someone’s about to perform—on stage, in an audition, or even in a big life moment—we tell them: “Break a leg.” But wait… why would we wish someone bodily harm as a sign of encouragement?
Let’s break down this curious expression.
It’s All About Superstition
The world of theater has always been full of superstitions, and one of the biggest rules is: never say “good luck.”
It’s believed that directly wishing someone good luck will actually bring bad luck instead. So performers flipped the script. Saying the opposite—“break a leg”—became a kind of reverse jinx.
The Phrase Has Roots in the 19th Century
While the exact origin is unclear, some historians trace it back to the early 1900s, when actors would use the term sarcastically. Others connect it to the Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, an 18th-century German novel, where a character wishes another to “break a leg” as a bizarre sign of support.
A Royal Theory
Another popular theory comes from the idea of “breaking the line of the leg” during a deep bow or curtsy—common when performing for royalty or high society. If you “broke a leg,” it meant you performed well enough to be called for an encore or a bow.
Or… a Literal Paycheck
In some 20th-century theaters, only those who made it on stage got paid. So if you “broke the leg” (the side curtain), you earned your keep. In this case, “break a leg” was more like saying “hope you get on stage!”
Final Thought
So next time you hear “break a leg,” don’t flinch. It’s not a curse—it’s a centuries-old way of saying “go knock ’em dead!”
Oh this is interesting, maybe I will use it when I travel!