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As a winter sports enthusiast, you have undoubtedly heard the expression “tous schuss” while skiing! Skiers use it to describe their exploits on a steep and fast slope. This expression of German origin originally referred to a very fast descent down a ski slope but has now entered everyday language. So, what does “tout schuss” mean in skiing? We explain!
Definition of the expression “tout schuss” in skiing
“Tout schuss” is an expression used in French that comes from the German language. It describes skiing at a very fast pace. It is now an expression that is an integral part of the vocabulary of Alpine sports. To ski down a slope “tout schuss” is to descend at full speed, straight down, without stopping.
The expression thus refers to the performance of technical skiers, often of a good level, who race down the slopes at full speed in search of thrills, while beginners will be more cautious. It is also used in everyday life and has now entered everyday vocabulary to describe someone doing something very quickly or moving in a hasty manner.
Just like ski jumping, skiing “tout schuss” is reserved for experienced skiers who can do it safely! Remember that speed should never be at the expense of your safety or that of others, especially if you are in a family ski resort and you are on a blue or green slope with many beginners or children on it.
The origin of “tout schuss” in skiing
Where does the expression “tout schuss” in skiing come from? “Tout schuss” means “gunshot” in German and is very close to its English cousin “to shoot,” which means “to fire with a weapon.” The words used in French come from the German term “schussfahrt,” which literally means “move at the pace of a gunshot.” Gradually, it started being used by Germans for particularly fast and direct ski descents.
The term “schussfahrt” transformed into the exclamation “schuss,” which then made its way into the French language during international ski competitions. French skiers and coaches heard their German counterparts shouting “schuss!” as soon as a competitor gained speed. It was originally a cry of encouragement, which gradually spread among the athletes. The expression “tout schuss” in skiing was thus born.
It is also worth noting that the unofficial mascot of the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, which took place in 1968, was a character named Schuss the skier! With the development of winter sports during the 20th century, saying “tout schuss” was no longer reserved for athletes – the expression entered the common domain and became understandable to all.
Some examples of the use of “tout schuss”
One can say that a street descends “tout schuss” towards the church, or that a skier descends “tout schuss” towards the bottom of the slope. “J’allais tout schuss” towards the train station means “I hurried to the train station.” After a long-awaited period of rain, vegetation can regrow “tout schuss.” Whenever you go quickly and suddenly towards somewhere or something, whether it’s related to Alpine sports or not, you are going “tout schuss”!
As synonyms, we can use:
- at full speed;
- very quickly;
- directly, straight ahead;
- without stopping.
Crédit photo : actu.fr
