The origin of ‘break a leg’ and other famous English expressions

While there are new words and phrases added to our lexicon all the time, there are some that stand the test of time and are passed down through generations and spoken for centuries.

These well-used sayings are often idioms: a group of words which do not have a meaning that can be deduced from the literal meaning of those words.

This popular phrase doesn’t sound very nice if taken literally, but it is actually a kind thing to say to someone who is about to do something they’re nervous about, by wishing them the best of luck.

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Most historians believe the expression was popularized in the 20th century by people in the theater community who were superstitious. Performers believed saying the actual words ‘good luck’ would tempt fate and actually bring them bad luck on stage.

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So, with this logic they chose to tell each other something negative in the hope that the opposite would happen. The reason they chose ‘break a leg’ specifically is unknown, though some theories point to Ancient Greece theater, where people would stomp their feet instead of clapping.

This popular saying, used to encourage someone to reveal secret information, has its origin in Ancient Greece, according to the ‘Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms’.

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In the first known democracy in the world, important votes would be carried out anonymously by asking people to choose either black or white beans.

The result of the vote was then revealed by a person literally spilling the beans so they could be counted.

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This saying is used when encouraging someone to get on with a task they can’t avoid, even if it’s unpleasant.

The phrase is thought to be derived from battlefield surgeries, when anesthesia wasn’t available. Medical procedures had to be performed quickly with whatever was at their disposal.

American abolitionist Harriet Tubman said to have witnessed patients in the Civil War given a bullet to bite down on, according to writer Samuel Hopkins Adams.

People use this expression to describe the way in which one relieves tension at a first meeting, a social gathering or the way we start a conversation that ‘breaks’ the awkwardness in the room.

Like most idioms, ‘break the ice’ doesn’t have one defined origin, but some historians believe it originated when ships were the only means of trade, and when they got stuck during the winter because of ice formation, the receiving country would send small ships to “break the ice” to clear a way for the trade ships.

This gesture showed affiliation and understanding between two territories, much like what happens between people after ‘breaking the ice’. 

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This expression, which is asked to a person who is quiet or at loss of words, has two possible origins.

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Some historians believe it comes from ancient Egypt, where liars’ and blasphemers’ tongues were cut out and fed to the cats.

Others, however, say it originated in the English Navy, where they used a whip called “Cat-o’-nine-tails” as punishment, causing pain so severe that the victims stayed quiet for a long time.

This saying, used to describe when someone is ignoring someone else or being unfriendly towards them, is believed to have originated in medieval England.

In this time, it was customary to give a guest a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of pork, or beef chop when the host felt it was time for the guest to leave, according to the etymology dictionary.

This expression, meaning to stop a conflict and make peace, is believed to have originated in North America, back when the Puritans were in conflict with the Native Americans, according to BBC History Magazine.

When negotiating peace, the Native Americans would bury all their hatchets, knives, clubs, and tomahawks. In this way, weapons were made inaccessible.

This expression, that means ignoring situations, facts, or reality, has its origin in the story of a British Naval hero who had one blind eye.

Legend has it that when the British forces signaled for Admiral Horatio Nelson to stop attacking a fleet of Danish ships, he held up a telescope to his blind eye and said, “I do not see the signal.” He kept attacking and won the battle.

Pictured, Nelson’s statue in Trafalgar Square in London.

This expression is used to tell someone that they have misguided thoughts about an event or situation; a false lead.