VOA慢速英语2018--'Break a Leg' Means 'Good Luck'

 

Now, the VOA Learning¹ English program Words and Their Stories.

On this program we explore words and expressions in American English.

Today, we take another trip to the exciting world of live theater. For many performers² -- dancers, singers and actors -- appearing on Broadway is a dream come true!

Broadway is one of New York City’s first roads and longest. It is also one of the most famous!

Broadway’s Theater District is between 42nd and 53rd Streets in downtown Manhattan. This part of Broadway is the heart of American theater.

Broadway was also one of the first streets in New York City to get electric lights. That is why some people call it the “Great White Way.”

They say the neon lights on Broadway.

They say there’s always magic in the air.

At night, the lights of Broadway seemed to shine brighter than the stars in the sky. And then there are the stars of Broadway’s stages.

To make it on Broadway you have to be very good. But you also have to be tough. Performing, in general, comes with a lot of rejection³. Actors usually have many doors closed in their faces before other doors, hopefully, open.

FILE⁴ - This Jan. 19, 2012 file photo shows billboards⁵ advertising⁶ Broadway shows in Times Square, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)

But even if you are hard-working and gifted, you may also need something else to succeed on Broadway – luck!

Maybe that is why theater people are so superstitious⁷. They have customs⁸ or behaviors that many non-theater people may find strange.

Take for example, the expression “to break a leg.” This may sound violent⁹. But it is not. We often say this to wish people good luck.

Instead, you should say to them, “Break a leg!”

But why? It hardly seems like a nice thing to wish on anyone.

Well, there are several explanations.

One comes from the wings, or the side areas of a stage in a theater. In the wings, you will find what is called a “leg line.” If an actor passes this line, people in the audience are able to see them. So, this line helps an actor waiting in the wings stay hidden from the audience before going on stage.

However, it was a good thing, and even lucky, to cross or break the leg line. This meant they were supposed to be on stage and performing. So, an actor who broke the leg line would get paid -- a very good thing, indeed!

Another explanation comes from the superstitious nature of theater people.

To keep bad luck out of a performance, they may try to trick the gods or universe or whatever. They do this by saying something bad -- in this case, “break a leg.”

We may not know exactly how this wish of good luck got started. But we do know that it is much better to tell an actor to “break a leg” -- instead of “good luck.”

It may come from the theater, but you can say it to anyone who needs a little luck. You can tell a friend “break a leg” before they give a speech at a wedding or a big presentation¹⁰ at work.

Well, you can say this to almost anyone. I would not say “break a leg” to a dancer or an athlete. They may take it the wrong way.

And that’s the end of Words and Their Stories. I’m Anna Matteo.

How do you tell people “good luck” in your language? Do you say something different to actors on the stage? Let us know in the Comments Section!

Words in This Story

tough – adj. physically¹¹ and emotionally¹² strong : able to do hard work, to deal with harsh¹³ conditions, etc.

superstition¹⁴ – n. a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck : a belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck : superstitious – adj. of, relating to, or influenced by superstition

audience – n. a group of people who gather together to listen to something (such as a concert) or watch something (such as a movie or play) : the people who attend a performance

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 performers   

n.演出者( performer的名词复数 )；演奏者；表演者；履行者

参考例句：

• The boss kissed the other performers off as mere amateurs. 老板认为其他的演员只有业余水平而把他们打发掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They manage to sign up all the best performers. 他们设法跟所有最佳演员签订合同。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

4 file   

n.档案，公文箱，锉刀；v.列队行进，归档，申请；[计算机]文件

参考例句：

• Fran came in holding a blue file.弗兰拿着一个蓝色的文件夹进来了。
• The door won't fit;you'll have to file it down.这门关不上，你得把它锉一锉。

5 billboards   

n.广告牌( billboard的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Large billboards have disfigured the scenery. 大型告示板已破坏了景色。 来自辞典例句
• Then, put the logo in magazines and on billboards without telling anyone what it means. 接着我们把这个商标刊在杂志和广告看板上，却不跟任何人透漏它的涵意。 来自常春藤生活英语杂志-2006年4月号

6 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

7 superstitious   

adj.迷信的

参考例句：

• They aim to deliver the people who are in bondage to superstitious belief.他们的目的在于解脱那些受迷信束缚的人。
• These superstitious practices should be abolished as soon as possible.这些迷信做法应尽早取消。

8 customs   

n.海关，关税

参考例句：

• The customs officials turned the man over to the French police.海关官员把那个人移交给了法国警察。
• They are collecting customs.他们正在收缴关税。

9 violent   

adj.暴力的，猛烈的，激烈的，极端的，凶暴的，歪曲的

参考例句：

• The madman was violent and had to be locked up.这个精神病患者很凶暴，不得不把他锁起来。
• They caught him and gave him a violent beating.他们抓住了他，把他狠狠打了一顿。

10 presentation   

n.赠与，陈述，介绍；表演，展示

参考例句：

• Last week we went to the presentation of a new play.上星期我们去观看了一场新剧的演出。
• The manner of presentation is highly important.介绍的方式很重要。

11 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

12 emotionally   

adv.感情上，情绪上，冲动地

参考例句：

• a special school for emotionally disturbed children 为精神异常儿童开办的特殊学校
• A wide range of emotionally stressful events may trigger a relapse. 多种令人情绪紧张的事情都可能引起旧病复发。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 harsh   

adj.严厉（酷）的，刺耳的，刺目的，毛糙的

参考例句：

• The sunlight is very harsh.太阳光很刺眼。
• Although his words are harsh,there is positiveness in them.虽然他的话很苛刻，但有建设性。

14 superstition   

n.迷信，迷信行为

参考例句：

• It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信。
• Superstition results from ignorance.迷信产生于无知。