The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Luck Omen

In the theatre, one never says good luck, but rather, "break a leg." This originated when the understudy used to tell the actor good luck without really meaning it.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.
Informant was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, where he probably learned this.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FLORIDA ; NASHVILLE ; PENSACOLA