Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

Every year, many people wish each other “einen guten Rutsch”, a typical German expression for celebrating the New Year. Literally, Rutsch means “slide” or “sliding”, like when you slide on snow or ice. However, in this context, it has nothing to do with slipping.

The probable origin of the expression is Yiddish. The word Rosch means “beginning” or “head”, as in Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Originally, the expression simply meant “a good start to the New Year”. Over time, in German it was reinterpreted because it sounded similar to rutschen (to slide), and that form has remained in use ever since.

And actually, the image of “sliding” is quite nice: you can imagine yourself entering the New Year with momentum, a smile, and maybe a bit of wind on your face, like sledding down a hill. No stumbling, no stress — just a joyful and light start.