Why actors say ‘break a leg’

In the early days of theater, companies would over-book performers and only the lucky ones would get chosen to perform on any given day. Actors who were not performing would stand behind the "leg line", which was an imaginary or marked line at the edge of the stage. If an actor "broke" the line it meant they were performing and therefore getting paid. Breaking the leg line turned into the line “break a leg”. Actors look at it as unlucky to say “good luck,” so “break a leg” has become a stand-in. Now you know. #act #actor #actors #acting #theater #theatre #breakaleg #goodluck #actingclass #meisner #method #adler