Welcome to the Merde Dancewear store. 

Je te dis merde!

As a dancer, you probably tell all your friends “merde” right before you go on stage. All dancers say it, just like actors tell each other to “break a leg.” It is a cool way to say “good luck” without all the superstitions and knocking on wood and stuff.  Can you believe not everyone knows what it means? This guy I was ordering leotards from totally had no clue. But, he was wearing black socks with his sandals, so like … whatever. Anyway, I promised him I would explain how “merde” took the place of “bonne chance” in the dance world. 

Like all superstitions, the origin of “merde” is legendary. The French are so cultured and fabulous that they were the first to bring ballet to the stage. Back in the days of horse and carriages, the streets of Paris were filled with … well … merde, or horse poop. Gross! As dancers would cross the streets heading for the theatre they would call out to one another, "faites attention a la merde dans la rue," cautioning one another to watch their step. On crazy busy nights at the theatre, the merde was so plentiful it began to be understood as a good thing … the more merde … the more people in the audience. And so, dancers began to hope for merde and to say to one another, “Je te dis merde,” or simply, Merde! When entering the stage, it was like natural to wish a fellow dancer “merde” or caution them to watch their step and not step in the ”good luck.”

And so that is the how and the why of Merde™…now, let’s buy some shoes! 

Merde™ … fashion & footwear with flair!

Je te dis merde!

Merde Girl

P.S. Stay in touch with me at shop@merdegirl.com!