English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

Unknown; many unproven and widely debated theories exist. One of the most plausible is that it comes from Yiddish הצלחה און ברכה‎ (hatslokhe un brokhe, “success and blessing”) through the heavy Ashkenazi Jewish influence in the American theater, via the misinterpretation in German as Hals- und Beinbruch (“neck and leg fracture”). The Yiddish phrase itself comes from Hebrew הַצְלָחָה וּבְרָכָה‎ (hatzlakhá u-v'rakhá, “success and blessing”). Another possible origin was to wish opposite luck on the performer so as not to jinx the statement.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Audio (AU)

Interjection [ edit ]

break a leg!

( idiomatic ) Said to someone wishing they perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor. toi, toi, toi ( opera ) Go out there and break a leg tonight. Put on a great show! I told my friend to break a leg, before she went on stage.

Translations [ edit ]