If you've ever heard a French person say merde (yes, it means "shit") to wish someone good luck, you might have wondered why. The origins of this curious tradition take us back to the 18th century, during the golden age of theater.
At the time, the measure of a play's success was, quite literally, the amount of horseshit found outside the theater. Why?
Because a packed house meant many wealthy spectators arrived in horse-drawn carriages, leaving behind... well, plenty of "evidence." The more merde outside, the bigger the crowd, and the greater the success of the show.
Over time, wishing someone merde became a quirky way to express hopes for a triumphant performance—or any endeavor. So next time you want to send good vibes to someone the French way, just say, Merde!
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