Breaking it down

Everyone seems to know the saying break a leg. But why say that, rather than, maybe, get an ear infection? Well, the story I have heard (and I don't know if it's right) is this: When actors were taking to the stage at the Globe Theatre in London for Shakespeare's plays, the best performer on the day would be lifted onto the shoulders of random members of the crowd to be cheered and generally celebrated. One day, an actor fell and broke his leg. Hence, telling an actor to break a leg is encouraging him or her to be the best performer on the day and risk the whole shoulder, fall, break thing. That's my story and I am sticking to it...