What it means: To start something; whether it's a conversation or a friendship. Breaking the ice is a way to propel something forward in a positive way. Where it comes from: Before public transportation was created on land, many of our ancestors depended on boats and shipping to survive. From transportation to trading, they needed clear paths. However, Winter used to complicate things a bit. When the water froze, larger ships couldn't gain access to smaller towns who were in desperate need of supplies, so smaller (local) ships would go out first to break the ice so that the transaction could be completed. This is why 'ice breakers' at work inductions and at Universities are such a big thing - and why they're called that.
