Set expressions which Russian-speaking people use without thinking in daily communication, sometimes enter into a stupor of foreigners who not that cannot translate a phrase, cannot interpret. For example, it is impossible to translate into other language expression "good riddance".
Huge across the territory Russia never had good infrastructure, roads were abused at all times, indicating their dirt and an ukhabistost, complexity and repeated loopings.
Road tradition
As opposed to uneven and dirty roads the consciousness gave rise to an image of a cloth which the good hostess had clean, naparenny. It is necessary to tell that at an uncovered table to put dear visitor it was not received, it is the sign of disrespect, covered with a cloth a table and in days of religious holidays. Existence by all means of a white cloth in the house was sign of wellbeing.
Very few people remember, but initially expression sounds as "the damask road, old times". Damask – means "silk, equal as silk", in far times this material was very expensive and only very rich and notable statesmen, but glory about their equal and shining cloths could sew cloths from it went all over the country, and therefore expression was born.
Over time an overseas word replaced with habitual "cloth", and from familiar "old times" got rid at all.
Therefore when the person got ready for a trip, he heard a phrase "good riddance", thus, wished him a successful way, same smooth, as well as a cloth on a table.
Wedding tradition
And in old times in Russia the same phrase was explained in one more way. When the bride pulled a cloth from a holiday table, she thereby wished to the sisters a good marriage that is that they kind of reached under a wreath for it. But later this expression accepted other value and became absolutely opposite to the previous version. If wished well to such phrases earlier, then then began to say this expression with barefaced irony. When the person heard "good riddance", it could be regarded as undisguised hostility, that is it was considered as: "leave, and without you it will be good". This phrase as a wish that the person cleaned up away was regarded.
Remember that in different treatments this phrase makes cardinally different sense. Apply it in appropriate situations to be witnesses.
It turns out that initially this phrase carried a positive color, and then it began to be used as an expletive. But It should be noted what is "good riddance" used also in modern language turns when the person is seen off to the road and wish happy journey.