Toasting Etiquette and Origins

“The Loyal Toast” by James Gillray, 1798 ~ A salute given to the head of state of the country in which a formal gathering is being given, whether or not the particular head of state is present. A matter of protocol at military and state occasions, and a display of patriotism when at civilian events.

“TOAST” IN A CUP…

Origin of the Use of the Word for After-Dinner Speeches

The word “toast” used for describing the proposal of a health in an after-dinner speech dates back to the medieval times, when the loving-cup was still regarded as an indispensable feature of every banquet. The cup would be filled to the brim with wine or mead, in the center of which would be placed a piece of toasted bread. After putting his lips thereto the host would pass the cup to the guest of honor, seated on his right hand, and the latter would in turn pass it on to his right-hand neighbor. In this manner the cup would circulate around the table, each one present taking a sip while drinking toward his right-hand neighbor, until finally the cup would come back to the host, who would drain what remained and swallow the piece of toast in honor of all the friends assembled at his table.

History teaches that the ancient Greeks, the the Romans, the Assyrians and the Egyptians were in the habit of drinking one another's health at dinner. Indeed, at Athens the etiquette concerning what may be described as the liquid courtesies of this kind was very strict and elaborate, being known by the name of “Philothe” participants in the repast were in the habit of drinking to one another until they could carry no more, and then they would pour out the remainder of the wine on the altar of any pagan deity that might happen to be handy. At Rome the same custom prevailed. Post-prandial oratory, however, was severely condemned as out of place, and while the Greeks contented themselves with exclaiming, as they put the cup of wine to their lips, “I salute you; be happy,” the Romans restricted themselves to the exclamation: “Propino,” which is the Latin for “I drink your health.” — San Jose Mercury News, 1989

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor of the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and “Your Health”

 

When the then Duke of Buccleuch, dining at the table of the Lord Advocate (Charles Hope) drank a glass of sherry without the conventional preliminary address, the act was for years after pointed to as an instance of ducal contempt. 
–Public domain image of the Lord Advocate, Charles Hope

Without “Your Health”

To take a glass of wine during dinner without previously dedicating it to the health of someone, was a breach of etiquette that few would care to be found guilty of, and anyone so offending would have been thought either eccentric or exclusive. 

In 1803, when the then Duke of Buccleuch, dining at the table of the Lord Advocate (Charles Hope) drank a glass of sherry without the conventional preliminary address, the act was for years after pointed to as an instance of ducal contempt.–From the French, “History of Toasting”. – The New York Times, August, 1881

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Toasting Origins and Etiquette

The clinking of glasses also has some history. Judith Martin’s “Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior” states that the purpose of the custom supposedly was to have one person’s wine spilled into the glass of another, ensuring that no one (or everyone) would be poisoned. The clinking sound was also believed to drive away spirits.

Here’s to Deft Toasts!

Paying tribute with a raised glass is more than tipsy patter. It should be treated as a mini-speech. An article in the June, 1990, issue of The Toastmaster magazine states that the term toast came from the 17th-Century practice of adding croutons to alcoholic beverages to absorb impurities. Drinking to one’s heath or happiness soon became known as a “toast.” The olive in the cocktail is said to be the contemporary replacement for toast in the alcohol. 

The clinking of glasses also has some history. Judith Martin’s “Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior” states that the purpose of the custom supposedly was to have one person’s wine spilled into the glass of another, ensuring that no one (or everyone) would be poisoned. The clinking sound was also believed to drive away spirits.

Rules of proper toasting have been written up in scores of etiquette manuals. For those who want to do it right, these books are a good place to start. Some basic rules for toasting come from Letitia Baldridge’s “Complete Guide to a Great Social Life” and “Complete Guide to Executive Manners”:

• A toast should be light and short— one to three minutes. 
• All guests should have wine or champagne or another drink in their glasses before the toast is proposed. 
• If you get caught without liquid in your glass, raise the glass and pretend to drink anyway. 
• Hosts have the prerogative of making the first toast. 
• Don’t offer a toast if you’re tipsy. 
• If you’re making a toast, rise in your place. To get the group’s attention, ask others to help you quiet the room or tap on a glass for silence. 
• Don’t toast yourself or drink after someone offers a toast to you. 

To get expert opinion on delivering a toast, the masters were consulted—Toastmasters, that is, the international organization devoted to public speaking. Several Toastmaster members said their club name is somewhat of a misnomer, considering that the subject of toasting is rarely covered in their sessions. Yet since Toastmaster meetings require extemporaneous as well as prepared speaking, some members had thoughts on preparing for and delivering toasts. One member of Toastmasters in Canoga Park, said a few sessions of Toastmasters would help. “We offer a supportive atmosphere for people who want to overcome their fear of speaking in public.” If someone specifically wanted to concentrate on toasts, the sessions would offer critiques.

• A toast should be treated as a mini-speech. It should have an introduction, a solid, meaty middle and a clear closing. 
• A toast time is not a roast time. It is an expression of goodwill and appreciation for a person or an occasion. 
• An informal toast at a small gathering or between friends should be less rehearsed and more spontaneous. 
• For an informal toast, just get an idea of what you want to say beforehand and go with it. The more rehearsed it is, the more rehearsed it sounds. 
• For semiformal or formal occasions, more preparation is necessary. Have some kind of notes to refer to, so that you’re not stumbling your way through your toast

— By Rebecca Howard, Special to the Times, 1993 

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Toasting Etiquette and History

In Shakespeare’s time, a piece of toasted bread was put in the tankard before ale or wine was poured in, to improve the taste and to collect sediment and impurities at the bottom of the vessel. Thus, the drink became known as “a toast.” By the Edwardian era, there were a number of little details of table etiquette which were observed, the most noticeable of which was that finger glasses (or finger bowls) were never placed upon the table if a member of the royal family was present. The reason for this goes back to the Jacobite days, when the toast of the King was converted into treason by the passing of the glass “over the water.”

Drink a Toast

This civilized custom of “drinking a toast” to the good health of a friend began in ancient times, but the terminology came later. In Shakespeare’s time, a piece of toasted bread was put in the tankard before ale or wine was poured in, to improve the taste and to collect sediment and impurities at the bottom of the vessel. Thus, the drink became known as “a toast.”

Toast of the Town

The “toast of the town” is someone whose great popularity causes many to “drink his health.” The usual custom in olden days, was to pour a little of the wine into the host’s glass and some into the guest’s, before either drank. Few trusted anyone outside the family circle and this was the only way to be sure the no one had poisoned the drink. Later, the ceremonial clinking of glasses was accompanied with the spoken wish, ‘To your good health.’ — Sources: A variety of authors including Patricia Easterbrook Roberts and Judith Visser

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia©️ Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Etiquette and Origins of Toasting

Many and various were the quaint customs associated with the toasts of those days. For example, in certain companies of military officers etiquette demanded that the cup should be passed from hand to hand.

How Toasts Originated

The custom of drinking the health of the most popular man at the table has its foundation in the ancient practice originated by the Greeks and adopted by the Romans of drinking to the gods and the dead, observes an exchange. 

The Greeks and Romans later began the practice of drinking to each other, and from this arose the custom of toasting living men. But health drinking in its modern form, originating in England in the roistering days of Charles II, begins with the custom of drinking to the ladies or to any woman who happened to be the reigning belle of the Court. 

Many and various were the quaint customs associated with the toasts of those days. For example, in certain companies of military officers etiquette demanded that the cup should be passed from hand to hand. In many midnight gatherings of Alsatia, gallants stabbed themselves in order to drink with their blood the health of the woman on whom their hearts were set. —Kansas City Journal, 1918

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia