swanprincess Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Me and a friend were discussing this earlier, and were wondering- where did the tradition of saying "Merde!" to dancers before a show, come from?? I do speak French, so find it quite funny that such a word should be used?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 No idea where it originated, but as I danced professionally in France I can confirm that it is indeed what is said to wish someone Good Luck before a performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josephine Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I read somewhere (can't remember where) that 'merde' comes from a time when horse-drawn carriages waited to take people home from the theatre. Lots of it indicated a big audience and therefore good ticket sales! However, I don't know if this is the correct explanation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjuli_Bai Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 It may have seemed a better thing to say to a dancer than the usual "break a leg." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 If you step in pooh in France (with your left foot only), it brings good luck apparently! And a lot of swearing on my part when it happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I heard the carriage story as well as the origin of it. It's not only to dancers but to wish people luck for any occasion... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 And one is not supposed to thank the person back or else, one has to start again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Yes, also true of not thanking someone who picks up your dropped glove, if that makes sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Does the glove thing comes from centuries past, when you could challenge someone to a duel by 'throwing down the gauntlet'? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Exactly that! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Especially if the glove has dropped in the previous subject! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 haha awesome! and that made me smile, Afab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I'm happy I brightened your day somewhat, Swanprincess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 aw thank you! i appreciate it after the agonising wait for the Elmhurst result! And if i get on the waiting list- that means even more waiting!!! i'm so impatient haha! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritaza Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I'd always thought that Diaghilev had used it as an expletive before a Ballet Russe performance ( possibly Rite of Spring) and that it had been adopted by dancers after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Hello Ritaza and welcome to the forum. That sounds quite logical. I wonder what our "Word Lady" thinks of that. I hope you will keep posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Hello Ritaza and welcome to the forum. That sounds quite logical. I wonder what our "Word Lady" thinks of that. I hope you will keep posting! This is still a bit of a mystery. The horse droppings theory sounds like a folk etymology (i.e. dodgy) to me. The Tresor de la langue francaise, which is kind of like the OED, doesn't have that sense for "merde" (though it certainly exists). When I can dislodge this cat from my lap I will venture out to the library and see if I can find anything in the Grand Robert. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritaza Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Hello Ritaza and welcome to the forum. That sounds quite logical. I wonder what our "Word Lady" thinks of that. I hope you will keep posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritaza Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Thanks for the welcome Janet. The first post in a forum has all the elements of opening night nerves :-) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I felt like that the first time.....just watch you now don't become addicted..merde! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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