Dictionary

burn bread en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

From the idea that burning bread brings bad luck or is indicative of unfortunate things to come.

Meanings

1. (followed by on, idiomatic, often, qualifier:African-American Vernacular) To cause something unfortunate to happen to (someone) by mentioning it; to jinx something for (someone).
   • “Si, I'll set up the meeting. I want you plugged in with the Cubans. Just in case something was to ever happen to me.” Rico shot his brother a scornful. “Listen, I got no problem wit' none a dat shit you talking, but I ain't trying' hear dat' just in case something happen' to you bullshit … you need to stop talking dat stupid shit fo'real. You only burnin' bread on yourself.” 2006, Tha Twinz, Crime Pays?: The First of a Trilogy, Bronx, NY: Twinz Publishing, →ISBN, page 113:
   • “Yo' ass gon' get fired.” “No, I'm not. Don't be burning bread on me like that.” Gray knocked on wood. “Besides, I've been working my ass off. […]” 2009, Keisha Ervin, Gunz and Roses, New York, NY: Urban Books, →ISBN, page unknown:
   • "[…] I was just playing, but I see you've seen it through, just like that famous lawyer who played mind games on his wife." ¶ "Yeah. Well what happened?" Randol asked. ¶ "He got caught, darling. Be careful." ¶ "Hey, don't burn bread. I'm not like that stupid lawyer. […]" 2020, Larry Washington, Insanity with a Twist, ebook edition, Xlibris, →ISBN, page unknown:
   • I don't mean to burn bread on the guy, but if LaT cares to press it, he could be living in a dumpster before he gets too much older. 2002 September 14, Chas, “Re: Information on John La Tourrette”, in rec.martial-arts (Usenet):

Forms

Relateds

knock on wood