Break a leg

The phrase break a leg represents a corruption of an originally Yiddish expression and really means good luck as a wish to someone who stands before an exam or a not easy task to be accomplished.

The Yiddish form " hatslokhe u brokhe " of good luck and blessing (especially in business transactions ) used expression meaning " success (happiness ) and Blessing" is derived from " hazlacha uwracha " ( IPA: [ hatsla'xa uvra'xa ], Hebrew הצלחה וברכה ) from the Hebrew - from lehazliach ( IPA: " prospered " [ lehats'liax ]) = and lewarech ( IPA: [ leva'rex ] ) = " bless "). Perhaps these words were understood by German listeners as neck and collarbone.

Another explanation could be attributed to a conception according to which pervert the powers of fate good wishes with preference to the contrary. So you already returns to his own desire utterance to outwit fate.

The English phrase "break a leg " possibly comes from the translation of the German " Break a leg ". In German, it is likely to at the same important jargon terms " spar and rib fracture " (aviation ) and " head and shot in the stomach " (military ) act to parallel developments or corruptions of second order.

The phrase " mast and Schotbruch " from shipping does not belong in this series. In former times the mast and the pods of sailing ships were planned as breaking points, which could break calm in heavy seas ( many ships led a replacement mast ) to maintain the integrity of the hull.