Английский Этимологический словарь - break (v.)

- O.E. brecan (class IV strong verb; past tense brжc, pp. brocen), from P.Gmc. *brekan, from PIE base *bhreg-. Most modern senses were in O.E. Meaning "to disclose" is from 1450. Breakfast first recorded 1463 as breffast, from break and fast. First record of break dancing is from 1982 (but breakdown "a riotous dance, in the style of the negroes" is from 1864). Breaker "heavy ocean wave" is from 1684. Breakneck is from 1562. Ironic theatrical good luck formula break a leg has parallels in Ger. Hals und Bein brechen "break your neck and leg," and It. in bocca al lupo.