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rathskeller

noun
raths·​kel·​ler | \ ˈrät-ˌske-lər How to pronounce rathskeller (audio) , ˈrat-, ˈrath-\

Definition of rathskeller

: a usually basement tavern or restaurant
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Did You Know?

Rathskeller is a product of Germany, deriving from two German nouns: Rat (also spelled Rath in early Modern German), which means "council," and Keller, which means "cellar." (Nouns in German are always capitalized.) The etymology reflects the fact that many early rathskellers were located in the basements of "council houses," which were equivalent to town halls. (The oldest rathskeller found in Germany today is said to date from the first half of the 13th century.) The earliest known use of rathskeller in English dates from 1766, but the word wasn't commonly used until the 1900s. Although the German word is now spelled Ratskeller, English writers have always preferred the spelling with the "h"-most likely to avoid any association with the word rat.

Examples of rathskeller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The stunning original rathskeller, or gathering space, for Schmidt Brewing remains intact downstairs. — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, "Schmidt Brewery Rathskeller to house Rose Street Patisserie cafe, Worker B spa," 24 June 2019 The basement, with 10-foot ceilings, will be a kind of rathskeller, with barrel- and bottle-aging and a large table to be used for special events. — Michael Klein, Philly.com, "Easton brewer signs lease for bar off East Passyunk," 17 May 2018 The latter will open this fall as a rathskeller and game room with shuffleboard and skeeball. — Shauna Steigerwald, Cincinnati.com, "Eli's, Pho Lang Thang owners open East End bar," 9 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rathskeller.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rathskeller

1766, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rathskeller

obsolete German (now Ratskeller), city-hall basement restaurant, from Rat council + Keller cellar

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