People say 'break a leg' before a performance because it's a special wish for good luck. Long ago, theater actors believed that if someone saw the actor’s shadow before a show, it would bring bad luck. To avoid this, they would break their own leg, so no one could see their shadow. Now, instead of breaking legs, we just say it as a fun tradition.
Examples
- A little girl says 'break a leg' to her brother before his school play.
- An actor whispers 'break a leg' to himself before going on stage.
- Friends shout 'break a leg' to each other before a concert.
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See also
- Why Do We Say 'Bless You' When You Sneeze?
- What Is the Purpose of a Clock Tower?
- Why Do We Tell Stories?
- Why Do We Have Different Kinds of Music?
- Why Do We Have So Many Different Kinds of Languages?
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Categories: Culture · superstitions,theater,performance