burn bread meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

burn bread

verb

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

Idiomatic, Often, Followed by on To cause something unfortunate to happen to (someone) by mentioning it; to jinx something for (someone).

African-American Vernacular

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):
“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:

2 more examples

“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: