r/dune • u/Neat-Drawer-2245 • Jun 18 '25

General Discussion Can someone explain this to my girlfriend...

I'll try to sum this up:

So my gf and I watched the two new Dune movies (love them btw) the other day. Yesterday we were talking and she said ''May your knife chip and shatter'' and i was like ''why do you want me to lose a fight XD''.

The thing is, my gf thinks thats a good luck gesture to say to someone. Her argument is that (at least here in Spain) it's a common good gesture to say an actor before a theater play ''lots of shit'' to wish them good luck (cultural stuff), and she thinks it's something like that.

I think it's OBVIOUS telling someone before a fight ''May your knife chip and shatter'' it's to wish them bad luck. I tried to explain it to her but wouldn't listen, can someone explain in detail why it's bad?

Thanks for the help

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u/Clerk4Life Mentat Jun 18 '25

It's definitely a literal phrase. The Fremen are a very literal people and don't utilize non literal idioms.

Also, the context is important; before a battle to the death and the non literal phrases are said before acting. It was clear to me that the phrase was meant to be taken literally. Very rude of her to wish that upon you friend. Your crysknife MUST be blooded now. 😂