How do you say “Break a leg” in French?

Both "Break a leg" and "Merde !" stem from theatrical superstition: wishing an artist actual good luck is believed to invite misfortune, so speakers resort to a counter-intuitive wish. In French folklore, the origin of "merde" is tied to 19th-century theater culture, abundant horse manure outside the venue meant many carriages had arrived, signaling a sold-out show.

While "break a leg" has become fairly mild and mainstream in English, "merde" retains some vulgar edge as a four-letter word, yet it remains socially mandatory among performers, students before exams, or friends facing a high-stakes challenge. Just remember that responding with "merci" is traditionally considered bad luck; French speakers often acknowledge the wish in silence or with a wink.