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A proverbial phrase or expression is a type of conventional saying similar to a proverb and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. [1] [2] In 1768, John Ray defined a proverbial phrase as:
Mazel tov is literally translated as "good luck" in its meaning as a description, not a wish. The implicit meaning is "good luck has occurred" or "your fortune has been good" and the expression is an acknowledgement of that fact. It is similar in usage to the word "congratulations!"
The origin of the German phrase is also mysterious, possibly a pun or borrowing from the Yiddish theatre. [13] Yiddish contains a phonetically similar phrase that more literally wishes the listener good luck (Yiddish: הצלחה און ברכה, romanized: hatsloche un broche, lit. 'success and blessing', itself from Hebrew: hatzlacha u-bracha).
The phrase could also come from the idea of race horses "breaking their legs" (AKA how they're standing) at the starting line, which some riders believed was good luck and would lead to a good race.
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Wishing you good luck and fortune this new year. Wǔ fú lín mén (Chinese. Translation: “May the five blessings–longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a natural death–come to you.”)
An alternate operatic good luck charm originating from Italy is the phrase In bocca al lupo! (In the mouth of the wolf) with the response Crepi! or Crepi il lupo! (May it [the wolf] die!). Amongst actors "Break a leg" is the usual phrase, while for professional dancers the traditional saying is merde (French, meaning "shit").
In America, it is considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" in a theatre. Prior to performances, it is traditional for the cast to gather together to avert the bad luck by wishing each other bad luck or cursing, the expression "break a leg" replaces the phrase "good luck".