From Whence Cometh “Toasting”?
If you check Dictionary-dot-com for the meaning of the word “toast” it gives several meanings, with the number one reason being :
- The act of raising a glass and drinking in honor of or to the health of a person or thing.
- A proposal to drink to someone or something or a speech given before the taking of such a drink.
- The one honored by a toast.
Have you ever wondered how the term “toast” came to be associated with raising a glass of some alcoholic beverage to recognise and congratulate someone for some achievement or for marking the passage of some important event?
Francois of Fame FM discussed this today in the Double F.T. segment of his “Trivial Pursuit” program.
Apparently the French used to put toast in the wine to remove the acidity and improve its taste. After awhile, they began to eat the toast when it was removed from the wine.
It is said that two famous frenchmen (supposedly they were recognised as great lovers or as we say here, dem was some gallis’) of the time came upon a lady most fair in a public bathhouse. (Francois gave their names and the time, but I can’t remember them… Hey, I was driving, not just having a “senior” moment! 
)
One of the men sallied forth first to “put argument” to her (tried to win her affections through skillful use of compliments and charm). While doing so, he is said to have dipped a glass into her bath water and drank to the lady’s wondrous charms.
The other fellow who made his attempt next was a bit more prudent, and recognising that this was a public bathhouse, he decided not to drink the waters thereof. Instead, this fellow is reputed to have said “I like not the alcohol, so I will have the toast instead.” I agree with him, the toast was probably quite a delicious morsel indeed! Screw the bathwater, its the lady I want! 
Supposedly, in the retelling of this story, the act of drinking alcohol to celebrate an important event became known as toasting.
I dunno if its true, but it made for an interesting little story, dinnit? 
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Raise your glass and drink a toast of rum….why the hell not?
Sure, makes for an interesting story. Cheers * tipping her glass to you*
Where ever the act of toasting to others first did come about and how may well be a mystery, but it is something I think we do almost all over the whole world.