Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 21:20:27 -0700 From: Dan Vie <shiva-AT-smartt.com> To: "puptcrit" <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org> Subject: [Puptcrit] Re: breaking a leg I heard it was shorthand for "breaking the legend of the one who went before you" - dan ----------------------------------- Dan Vie Vancouver BC Community Arts Workshop Society www.communityartsworkshop.com >In a message dated 9/12/2005 12:55:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, >steve-AT-axtell.com writes: > >I thought "break a leg" meant to go out there and >give it your best - all your effort. Try to break >your leg. That was my intention with "Break a >string". However, it's a futile wish since I >don't think they use marionettes anyway. So....break a hand. > >Ax >Break a leg" . It is a wish of good luck, but the words wish just the >opposite. >It was once common for people to believe in Sprites. Sprites are actually >spirits or ghosts that were believed to enjoy wreaking havoc and causing >trouble. >If the Sprites heard you ask for something, they were reputed to try to >make >the opposite happen. Telling someone to "break a leg" is an attempt to >outsmart the Sprites and in fact make something good happen. Sort of a >medieval >reverse psychology. >Of course it has became a popular wish of luck for theater performers. > Regards > Mark > _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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