Random question: “Break a leg” is a common expression in theater meaning “good luck” (because it’s bad luck to say “good luck”).
Does that carry over to opera? A guy I know from church went to Juilliard and is now trying to make a name for himself performing in various operas and he was an understudy for a performer who has now backed out of an opera in a major city… bigger than the cities where he’s been performing… kind of a big deal in his career trajectory.
Do I say “break a leg” ???
I said that to him once before and his mother (who I know a little better than him though I am between them in age) was displeased. She does not speak English as a native language, so I initially figured she wasn’t familiar with the expression and I explained it to her. But it subsequently occurred to me that maybe “break a leg” is strictly a theater thing that does not carry over to opera???