“Here’s to you and yours!”

“Here’s to you and yours!” This is a simple yet respectful and sincere toast, and special when delivered with the best of intentions. Any toast can be memorable whether done impromptu or with thoughtful foresight and planning. Either way, lifting a glass in a toast is a great way to lift spirits.

But how did it become to be known as a “toast?” Why not a “roll” or a “dough?” Because it would sound stupid to say, “I’d like to make a “roll” to the happy couple.” We recognize it as a socially acceptable custom and never really question why we call it “toasting.” So here is your history lesson for the month.

In 6th century B.C., the Greeks toasted to their friends’ health as a way to assure them that the wine was not poisoned. Spiking wine with poison had become very common, and this was a way to deal with it. (Oh, how far we have come.) Wine was served from a carafe, and the person making the toast drank first, signifying to others it was good to drink. It was a symbol of friendship and good will. When guests saw the host drink, they drank, too. But that doesn’t explain the word “toast.”

The actual term “toast” comes from the Romans. If you put a piece of burnt toast into wine, it neutralized the acidity of bad wines that they sometimes had to drink. It makes you wonder how they realized this to be true. Was it by the shear accident of dropping a piece of burnt toast in a glass of wine, removing it and drinking the wine anyway? “Hey, that tasted pretty good. Let’s burn some more toast to improve the taste of the wine.” Or were they trying to cover up the charcoal taste by dipping it into the wine, realizing both tasted better that way? Instead of cursing their misfortune of rotten wine and badly cooked food, they chose to toast to their good health. The Latin took it a step further, and the term “tostus” means roasted or parched and came to be the drink itself. Many years later, people toasted to the health of those that were not present, especially attractive women. Beautiful women became known as the “toast of the town.”

These days, people occasionally raise their glass to honor, demonstrate gratitude or respect to someone, commemorate an event, or wish good fortune onto others. If you are inspired or required to give a toast, remember the non-rules, which means there really aren’t any. If you must have a guideline, here are a couple of loosely written rules.

Make it short, sweet, to the point, and sincere. These are really four rules wrapped up neatly into one rule. People don’t want to listen to a long-winded toast. Their arms get tired of holding up the glass; they get thirsty, and then you lose their attention. Toasting is for happy occasions, so be nice. Your sincerity is simply a sign of respect.

When making a toast, be as prepared as you possibly can be. There are certain occasions when you are expected to make a toast, such a being a best man at a wedding. Men, take the time to think about it, prepare for it, and rehearse it. Try not to think about the mistake you think your buddy is making. This is where the sincerity part really pays off. You may be called upon to make a toast without warning. It is helpful to store a couple of standard toasts your brain banks to retrieve on a moment’s notice. You should never pressure someone to make a toast. If you do, be prepared for disaster. It can create high anxiety for some people. Lastly, when completing your toast, end on a positive note.

If the toast is for you, don’t stand or drink a toast, but always respond even it’s a short thank you. A host should toast the guest of honor before anyone else. You always want to stand if you are the one offering the toast. Even if you don’t consume alcoholic beverages, it is rude not to participate in a toast.

If you are at a loss for words, here are a few toasts to get you started.

• “May you live all the years of your life.” Jonathan Swift
• “Here’s looking at you, kid.” Humphrey Bogart toasting Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca
• “Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.” Unknown
• “Here’s hoping you live forever and mine is the last voice you hear.” Willard Scott
• “Here’s to you and here’s to me. If ever we shall disagree, forget you and here’s to me.” Unknown
• “May the people who dance on your grave get cramps in their legs.” From the book, The Joys of Yiddish
• “To the Land we Love, and the Love we Land” – Unknown
• “Some friends wish you happiness, and others wish you wealth- But I wish you the best of all – contentment blessed with health!” Unknown
• “May you live as long as you want to And may you want to as long as you live!!” Unknown
• “Friendship’s the wine of life. Let’s drink of it and to it.” Unknown

© Copyright 2010 Connections Magazine