Have you ever wondered where those familiar phrases we say without even thinking come from? For example, “let's have a road trip” sounds like something self-evident. But what is this “road trip”? Who invented it?
The answer must be sought in those distant times when a staff was a faithful companion of any traveler, and the roads were full of surprises.
Not just a walking stick: a staff in the lives of our ancestors
In ancient times, a walking stick was more than just a means of support. It was a multifunctional tool for the traveler, pilgrim, or farmer.
It made walking through boggy swamps safer, testing the firmness of the soil. It could be used to fend off dogs, wild animals, or unkind people. It was comfortable to lean on to rest after a long journey.
The staff was a faithful companion, and so many superstitions and traditions were associated with it. It was believed to accumulate the power of the road and protect its owner.
Interestingly, in Russian culture, the staff was often associated with farewell. When a person left home—to visit, to work, or to travel—they were given a staff. It wasn't just an object, but a ritual gesture: “You are not alone, we are with you, even though we are far away.”
The ritual of a drink before going out: how it really happened
The most plausible version of the origin of the custom goes back to medieval Rus'.
Before a long journey, a traveler, sitting on a bench, already dressed and holding a staff, would drink a farewell glass. This final sip wasn't meant to intoxicate, but rather part of an important ritual. It was a kind of amulet, a call for good fortune, so that the journey would be easy and quick, and the return a welcome one. After drinking, the traveler would rise and set off immediately, without lingering, lest he lose his good fortune.
This custom was strictly observed, because the roads in those days were a real challenge.
Bearish version: the most unexpected theory
There's a more exotic, but no less interesting, theory involving bears. The expression supposedly originated with bear hunters.
Before entering the bear's den, the daredevil would drink a shot while sitting on a staff stuck in the ground. This was done for courage and for a purely practical purpose: to check whether the ground was too soft. If the staff easily penetrated the soil, it could mean the bear might dig under and attack from behind.
Thus, “ having a drink for the road ” was not just a ritual, but part of the safety precautions while hunting.
From ritual to drinking: how the meaning of a custom has changed
Over time, the original sacred meaning of the tradition began to fade. Roads became safer, the need for a walking stick disappeared, but the habit of drinking “for the road” remained. Licensed under CC0 Pxhere.com
It became firmly entrenched in everyday table culture, especially during the Soviet era. The phrase became associated not with a talisman before a long journey, but with the last glass offered to a guest before departure. From a serious ritual, this phrase evolved into a humorous excuse for another round of drinks.
The expression “na pososhok” (for the road) is an obsolete linguistic form that retains memories of the daily life and beliefs of our ancestors. From an important travel amulet, it has transformed into a simple everyday phrase whose meaning has changed significantly today. It's a reminder of how noticeably our lives are changing and how language bears traces of these changes.
