rutsch

Rutsch is a German noun meaning a slip or slide, referring to a movement where a person or object loses traction and slides on a surface. It can describe slipping on ice or wet ground, or more general movement leading to a change in position. The related verb is rutschen, meaning to slide or glide; the noun derives from this verb.

In everyday language, the phrase "Guten Rutsch" is used as a farewell around New Year, literally wishing someone a good slide into the new year, though it is figurative and not a literal slip. The greeting is common in German-speaking areas.

Rutsch also exists as a surname and is used as a place name in parts of the German-speaking world. As a toponym, it typically designates small localities or features and is most common in southern Germany and Austria, where it may appear in historical documents and modern maps.

In addition to these uses, Rutsch appears in technical or safety terminology, such as Rutschgefahr or Rutschunfall, referring to hazards of slipping or sliding in contexts like winter weather, construction, or transport.