Thursday, June 7, 2018

"Break Two Legs and Fall off the Stage" - Mr. Atwater

There are several different theories on where the phrase "Break a leg" comes from. This phrase is a humorous adaption of the interpretation in the "contrarian" school of thought. (i.e say the opposite of what you mean). Additionally, the imagery of someone actually breaking both legs and then falling like deadwood off the stage into the orchestra pit is endlessly humorous. Probably however, the origin of the phrase refers to the manner in which gentlemen in the Elizabethan age "bowed," which required bending the back leg and extending the other leg forward at the same time you bowed your head.

copyright (c) 2018
William Schaeffer

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