Rumspringa

noun

Rum·​sprin·​ga ˈru̇m-,shpriŋ-ə 

-spriŋ-

variants or rumspringa

1

: a period of exploration and increased social interaction in some Amish communities that begins usually around the age of 16 and ends when a young person chooses either to be baptized within the Amish church or to leave the community

Outside authors exaggerate the wild activities during Rumspringa, the period when Amish teenagers experiment with technology and worldly distractions, from about the age of 16 until they decide to join the church or leave the community, Ms. Graybill said.

—Alexandra Alter

2

: a temporary period of relaxation, fun, traveling, etc. as a break or reward for a long stretch of hard work or hardship

For a while I hoped that my inability to concentrate on writing and reading was the result of a charred and overworked thalamus. I knew the pace I was on was not sustainable and figured my discipline was treating itself to a rumspringa. I waited patiently for it to stroll back on to the farm, apologetic but invigorated.

—Tom Bissell

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Pennsylvania German rumschpringe, nominal use of rumschpringe "to run around, gad about, be wild," from rum, shortening of herum "around, about" (going back to Middle High German her umb, her umbe, from her "in the direction of [the speaker ]" —going back to Old High German hera— + umbe "around, about," going back to Old High German umbi) + schpringe "to run, jump," going back to Old High German springan "to jump, spring entry 1" — more at ambient entry 1

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1