Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

The earlier [[meaning]] of this phrase, i.e. 'to forge a [[path]] for others to follow' alludes of course to the breaking of ice to allow the [[navigation]] of boats. The figurative use is quite old and was recorded by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_North Sir Thomas North] in his 1579 translation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch's_Lives Plutarch's Lives] of the noble Grecians and Romanes:

The earlier [[meaning]] of this phrase, i.e. 'to forge a [[path]] for others to follow' alludes of course to the breaking of ice to allow the [[navigation]] of boats. The figurative use is quite old and was recorded by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_North Sir Thomas North] in his 1579 translation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch's_Lives Plutarch's Lives] of the noble Grecians and Romanes:

:"To be the first to break the Ice of the Enterprize."

:"To be the first to break the Ice of the Enterprize."

==Recent History==

==Recent History==

It wasn't until the latter part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 17th century] that it took on its current 'establish a relaxed [[relationship]] in socially awkward situations' [[meaning]]; for example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Butler Samuel Butler]'s Hudibras, 1678:

It wasn't until the latter part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 17th century] that it took on its current 'establish a relaxed [[relationship]] in socially awkward situations' [[meaning]]; for example, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Butler Samuel Butler]'s Hudibras, 1678:

:"The Oratour - At last broke [[silence]], and the Ice."

:"The Oratour - At last broke [[silence]], and the Ice."

If we move forward another two hundred years 'breaking the ice' reverts to its original usage, when specialist ice-breaking ships were introduced. These ships, known as ice-breakers, were equipped with strengthened hulls and powerful engines, were employed in the [[exploration]] of polar regions.

If we move forward another two hundred years 'breaking the ice' reverts to its original usage, when specialist ice-breaking ships were introduced. These ships, known as ice-breakers, were equipped with strengthened hulls and powerful engines, were employed in the [[exploration]] of polar regions.

Soon after the ships were introduced the term 'ice-breaker' began to be applied to [[social]] [[initiatives]] which were intended to get [[strangers]] acquainted with one another. In 1883, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain Mark Twain] used the word that way in Life on Mississippi:

Soon after the ships were introduced the term 'ice-breaker' began to be applied to [[social]] [[initiatives]] which were intended to get [[strangers]] acquainted with one another. In 1883, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain Mark Twain] used the word that way in Life on Mississippi:

:"They closed up the inundation with a few [[words]] - having used it, evidently, as a mere ''ice-breaker'' and acquaintanceship-breeder - then they dropped into business."[http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/break-the-ice.html]

:"They closed up the inundation with a few [[words]] - having used it, evidently, as a mere ''ice-breaker'' and acquaintanceship-breeder - then they dropped into business."[https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/break-the-ice.html]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]