From wedding receptions to New Year’s Eve celebrations, toasts are a time-honored tradition at special occasions all over the world. But where did this tradition come from? In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the origin of toasting and how it became the popular custom it is today.
We’ve all done it – raised our Austria wine glass and clicked it against someone else’s in a gesture of goodwill, congratulations, or simply ‘cheers.’ But where does this tradition come from? When did we start toasting one another, and why?
How it all started?
The act of toasting can be traced back thousands of years. In ancient Greece, libations were poured out onto the ground as an offering to the gods. This would often be done before a meal or before going into battle. The tradition of making a speech before drinking was also common in ancient Greece. However, instead of clinking glasses, it was customary for Greeks to offer each other libations (a small amount of food or drink). Libations were also thought to be lucky and were often made to honor the gods.
The Romans continued this tradition, although they also began to toast one another, where it was customary for guests to clink their glasses together and take a drink before making a toast. This practice was thought to ward off evil spirits and promote good luck. This was seen as a way of sealing a deal or contract, and sometimes even marriage vows were sealed with a toast.
The word ‘toast’ actually comes from the Latin ‘tostus,’ meaning ‘roasted.’ In medieval England, slices of bread were added to liquor in order to make it more palatable (and presumably also to absorb some of the alcohol!). These spiced and sweetened concoctions were known as ‘wassail’, and the breadFloat was known as a ‘toast’. It wasn’t until around 1670 that the word ‘toast’ came to refer to the act of drinking someone’s health.
Why do we click our glasses together? There are a few different theories on this one. One is that it dates back to the 17th century when it was considered good manners to ensure that your host’s drink was not poisoned. By clicking your glass against theirs, you could be sure that no nefarious deeds had been done! Another theory is that it originated in England’s naval ships. If a sailor fell overboard, his companions would raise their glasses and click them together in order to salute him before drinking.
Whatever the origins of this time-honored tradition, there’s no doubt that raising a glass and sharing a toast is still a wonderful way to show your appreciation for someone – whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a business associate.
The penultimate approach
Skål! Salut! Whatever language you speak, there’s no denying that raising a glass and sharing a toast is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for someone. So next time you find yourself clinking glasses with someone, spare a thought for those who have done so before you – all the way back to ancient Greece!
For more information please visit http://thisdayinwinehistory.com.