ни пуха ни пера! {interj.}
ni pukha ni pera
{literally} (wish you) neither fur, nor feather!
~Break a leg (Tnx to !plexuz =) )
~Good luck!
Wishing good luck, success to smb. in sth.
Usually an unalterable interjection.
{origin}
The phrase was used as an indirect (negative) farewell "spell" said to hunters leaving for a hunt and aiming to spoof and scare devilry.
It was believed that direct good luck wishing could put the evil eye on the hunters and overlook the luck.
A rude reply — "К чёрту!" (Go to devil!) should make the hunter even more safer.
Перед экзаменом студенты обычно говорят друг другу: «Ни пуха ни пера!» — Students usually wish good luck to each other before they take an exam.
Latest discussions :: ни пуха ни пера!Dana 2008-10-15 12:44:17
what are the equivalents in English, except "Good luck!"? Reply!plexuz 2009-11-06 22:10:00
"Break a leg" has the same meaning Reply
Kathryn 2009-11-10 23:52:18
That makes so much sense. Thank you! I'm taking a Russian class in university and we just learned that phrase, but my professor didn't translate "ни пуха ни пера". She only translated the reply: "к чёрму" -- "go to the devil", "go to hell". Anyway, now it all makes sense. It seems Russian luck is a matter of reverse psychology. :) ReplyMikhail 2010-11-19 19:54:27
It is mistake-She only translated the reply: "к чёрму" -- "go to the devil", "go to hell"
к черту The 4th letter in word черт is т not м
:) Reply