Hals- und Beinbruch

German

Etymology

Literally, “neck and leg fracture”. Probably corrupted from Yiddish הצלחה און ברכה (hatslokhe un brokhe, “success and blessing”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˌhals ʔʊnt ˈbaɪ̯nbʁʊx/
  • Audio(file)
  • Audio(file)

Interjection

Hals- und Beinbruch!

  1. (idiomatic) break a leg!
    • 1993 March 20, Stephan Lessenich, “Waffen helfen Bosnien nicht”, in Die Tageszeitung: taz‎, →ISSN, page 32:
      Mal ehrlich, Jochen: Machst Du es? Fährst Du runter auf den Balkan und hälst[sic] Deinen Kopf hin für die Geschundenen dieser Welt?? […] Ich bin gespannt auf Deinen ganz persönlichen Einsatz. Von Herzen: Hals- und Beinbruch.
      Let's be honest, Jochen: Are you going to do it? Are you going to go to the Balkans and put your head on the line for the oppressed of this world?? […] I am excited to see your very personal commitment. With all my heart: Break a leg.

Further reading
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