Let's Toast by Lauren Lampasone, Senior Librarian, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)December 29, 2015

Why do we clink glasses while drinking a toast? Image ID: 1519507

What is a toast? How do you toast someone?

A toast is a ritual in Western culture in which a drink is taken in honor of someone or to express general goodwill. It's a noun and a verb. "I gave a short toast and then we toasted with champagne."

History of the Toast

According to The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, "There is a connection between the toast you eat and the toast you make with a raised glass." Torrere is Latin for ‘to parch, scorch, dry up’. The English word evolved to describe the process of parching or browning bread over a fire.

In Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable you can read about the tradition of the "loving cup" or "grace cup," a vessel that is shared communally around a table, passed from guest to guest. The strongly brewed beverage inside would be flavored with lemon peel, nutmeg, sugar—and very dark toast.

In the late 17th century, a practice arose in which a drinker would name a lady and request that all the people present drink her health. The lady's name would then flavor the drink like the pieces of spiced toast.

Yum!

According to Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History: An International Encyclopedia, the tradition may also have been formed around the concept of pledging protection to fellow warriors. When individual glasses came into vogue, replacing communal goblets, the clinking of glasses together signified that everyone was sharing the same liquid.

Now that you know the historical and linguistic background, what happens if you are asked to give a toast?

Toast Etiquette

Emily Post's Etiquette has several pages about the niceties of toasting. In more formal environments, as in the past, toasts are first proposed by the host. Today, it is more likely and just as polite for one of the guests to toast first, to thank the host for gathering everyone together.

A old wives' tale warns never to toast with water because of bad luck/drowning. Both Emily Post and Letitia Baldrige in New Manners for New Times disagree. If you are avoiding alcohol for any reason at all, feel free to hoist your glass of soda, water, or juice. You can also hold to your lips without sipping, or raise your hand as though holding a glass.

What to do if you are the object of a toast?

Smile, remain seated and say thank you. You may then choose to follow up with a toast of your own!

We wonder whether it's worth the risk! "Can you make a toast with water?" #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Aug 10, 2015 at 9:51am PDT

Books on Toasting

The Oxford Companion to Beer has a long article on drinking customs.

How To Write Wedding Speeches & Toasts by Barbara Jeffrey and Natasha Reed

To The Happy Couple: Creating A Great Wedding Toast With Style by Sarah Mcelwain

Toasts: The Illustrated Book Of Drinking Poems, Salty Salutations, Eloquent Epithets & Vivid Verbosity

Toasts: Over 1,500 Of The Best Toasts, Sentiments, Blessings, And Graces compiled by Paul Dickson

Toasting Around the World

If you want to impress a new friend or find yourself in another country, you might need to know what to say besides "Cheers." Check this list of languages to toast in on Omniglot and learn to say "Happy New Year" at The Huffington Post. Fluent in 3 Months also provides an in-depth description of toasting traditions in different languages and cultures.

Consider studying up on Mango Languages for your longer speeches.