Break a leg! (theater)
Break a leg! (theater)
In bocca al lupo!
In bocca al lupo!
Meanings
1. A traditional wish of good luck for actors before going onstage, especially on an opening night. 2.To wish someone good luck
Examples
The stage director shouted "Break a leg!" to the whole company gathered behind the curtain 
Il regista ha radunato tutta la compagnia dietro al sipario e li ha caricati con un tonante "In bocca al lupo!"“Have you really been called for a work interview at the bank! Good for you! Good luck!” “Thanks”
“Davvero ti hanno convocato per un colloquio di lavoro alla banca? Bravo! In bocca al lupo!” “Crepi!”"Your final exam is tomorrow? Go gettem, tiger!" "Thanks"
"Hai l'esame finale domani? In culo alla balena!" "Speriamo che non caghi!"Origin
The origin of such expression is uncertain but is sourced in superstition. Some people think it comes from an old German good luck saying Hals-und-Beinbruch (break your neck and leg). According to others it refers to the old show business superstition that a simple good luck would have the opposite effect, so you wish the performer bad luck to assure a positive outcome.
Another theory refers to the leg line of a stage, an imaginary line that separates the actual stage from the backstage. In the days of Vaudeville, when stand-by artists were not paid, breaking this line and go onstage would mean to become part of the show, to perform in front of the public and therefore be paid. A beautiful wish for every actor!
Yet, another theory: 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.
Another theory refers to the leg line of a stage, an imaginary line that separates the actual stage from the backstage. In the days of Vaudeville, when stand-by artists were not paid, breaking this line and go onstage would mean to become part of the show, to perform in front of the public and therefore be paid. A beautiful wish for every actor!
Yet, another theory: 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.