Scottish Play

The term "Scottish Play" is a euphemism used to refer to William Shakespeare’s tragedy "Macbeth." In theater tradition, the play is associated with bad luck and superstition, believed to bring misfortune if its name is spoken aloud within a theater, except by someone who has performed a special ritual. This superstition stems from the play’s dark themes, historical associations, and a longstanding belief that mentioning the name invites trouble, which is why actors and theater personnel often refer to it indirectly as "the Scottish Play" to avoid invoking these superstitions.