Breaking A Leg For Amateur Theatre

Last time, I was expressing my bemusement at an odd turn of phrase in amateur theatre, indeed in theatre in general. The idea of saying 'break a leg' to actors before they go on stage, instead of the much more obvious offer of support, 'good luck.'

If you say that one more time...

I just want to look at some of the possible definitions behind this term. Some, may make sense. Others, baffle me. However, the internet has kindly offered up some interesting definitions (sources listed at the bottom, so you can make your own mind up).

Break a leg!

The history of this term appears to be a long one. How many of these origins have come retrospectively is a matter for debate. Given this is a personal blog, I haven't the time to be that thorough, hence adding the sources of information at the bottom. I'm going to list off some of the more "entertaining" suggestions, and you can make your own mind up.

Some are fairly boring. There is an assertion that it is based on an older expression 'May you break your leg' which was linked to a bow to acknowledge the applause received. In this way, it was wishing the performers a good performance. This, while plausible, is boring and no fun. In a similar vain, it could be linked to early days of vaudeville, when performers didn't get paid unless they made it on, so they were encouraged to 'break a leg' meaning to break the line of legs that surrounded the stage. Again, plausible, but boring.

Break a leg Mr President...

Slightly more fun, but still routed firmly in the theatre, it could link to John Wilkes Booth, the man who shot Abraham Lincoln. As he tried to flee, he lept onto the stage, breaking his leg. How this equates to good luck is beyond me, as the President got shot, and he broke his leg, is beyond me. This is one of the more entertaining ones though, so I'll leave it in.

Back to the theatre, and A&E

'I see great misfortune...'
'I know he said good luck again.'

Returning to more theatrical interpretations, one that comes from the Elizabethans and the Greeks. Audiences didn't clap in Elizabethan times (apparently) instead stomping their chairs. The hope was that the show would be so good that the chair leg would break. The Greeks were slightly more barbaric than damaging furniture however, as they stamped their feet. So the phrase was about getting the audience to break their legs (which seems a little excessive.)

To finish, I will mention another odd theory. There is a German phrase 'Hals und Beinburch' which transtlates as 'break your neck and leg'. This originates in Luftwaffe slang, basically wishing a good landing on the pilot. This may have been a corruption from a Hebrew blessing, which kind of stuck.

I still don't know why you say break a leg

All these theories are fascinating and reading the Internet's offerings has been interesting. However, I'm still not sold. Yet, I probably will still say it. Actors are creatures of habit and as such we are unlikely to change. i guess that might be the best reason. Someone said it, the show was excellent, so it just kind of stuck. What do I know though? I'm just an amateur theatre lover with time to read a few articles online.

Chris is a member of Codsall Dramatic Society. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for all your amateur theatre news in Codsall & Wolverhampton. 

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/page.php?id=603

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Break_a_leg

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/33955/why-do-people-say-break-a-leg-to-actors

http://plays.about.com/od/basics/a/breakaleg.htm

http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/break_a_leg/

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/break-a-leg.html

http://www.theimportanceofbeingtrivial.com/why-actors-say-break-a-leg.html