adobe illustrator changing corner radius Buy Adobe Illustrator CS5 for Mac OEM - Online Software Downloads Center keygen adobe creative suite 3 adobe illustrator plugins free Buy Adobe Illustrator CS5 OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop non profit software adobe photoshop fonts free Buy Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe indesign download free download photoshop free photoshop adobe Buy Adobe Flash Professional CS5 for Mac OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe indesign cs2 brushes portable adobe illustrator Buy Adobe Flash Professional CS5 OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe illustrator postcard template adobe photoshop sc2 Buy Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended for Mac OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop 7.0 use noise filter adobe cs2 photoshop free trial download Buy Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 for Mac OEM - Online Software Downloads Center free adobe photoshop 7 smoke brushes adobe indesign place cards template Buy Adobe InDesign CS5 for Mac OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop cs2 pc 30-day trial view adobe photoshop online Buy Adobe InDesign CS5 OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop 7 for pc adobe photoshop cs2 hair tutorial Buy Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection for Mac OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop 7 tryout download adobe illustrator recipe templates Buy Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop cs3 removing backgrounds mac adobe photoshop cs3 torrent Buy Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended OEM - Online Software Downloads Center adobe photoshop cs2 action fx

4 November 2009

Ask Colin – Chookas!

Dear Colin,
I’m curious as to the origins of the term ‘chookas’. David says: “ … all the ‘chookas’ cards have been written … ” I’ve seen it mentioned in Dance Train and sometimes in newsletters from my daughter’s dance school, but (although I know it means something along the lines of ‘have fun!’ or ‘good luck’) where did the term come from? Why is it used, and is it only used by dancers? Come to think of it, does it have anything to do with ‘lame ducks’ which has got to be one of the weirdest ballet terms ever!
Jen Stosser

Dear Jen,
I have been told that the use of ‘chookas’ to wish a performer good luck is uniquely Australian. It seems to have come into use during the early days of J.C. Williamson’s dominance of the theatre scene in Australia. In the early 1900s chicken was regarded as a treat (even in my experience ‘chicken in the basket’ was the most expensive dish on a menu). As most shows paid fees depending on the box-office take, a full house meant that the performers would be able to afford a chicken meal. The cry ‘chook it is’ was shortened to ‘chookas’, and eventually used by performers to wish each other a successful show regardless of the number of people in the auditorium.

For dancers in particular it is far better than the alternative term for good luck, ‘break a leg’!

Cheers,
Colin

You can email your ballet questions to Colin at hello@behindballet.com

Bookmark and Share

One Response to “Ask Colin – Chookas!”

  1. [...] was fascinated to read about the term ‘chookas‘ to wish dancers good luck, and wondered if you have come across ‘pinch you for [...]

Leave a Reply