The Ancient Toast

Though the use of the word toast, referring to the act of honoring a person, occasion, or sentiment, can be traced back to only the 18th century, the custom itself is rooted in ancient civilizations.

Poisoning was a common method of dispatching enemies in ancient Greece, so to assure his guests that their wine was untainted, the host would drink first and offer it up to the health of the present company.

The Romans adopted the ritual but added a variation: they dropped a burnt piece of bread into the wine to soak up the acidity. The last person to drink from the communal cup, usually the host, would also eat the wine-soaked bread in honor of the guests or event.

Though every culture partakes in this tradition in one form or another, the Irish, with their gift for language, have made toasting and art form. Many people panic at the idea of leading a spontaneous toast, but if you speak from the heart, you can’t go wrong. Here are a few from across the ages and for various occasions to guide you.

For the Holidays

“May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas.”
-Irish blessing

“Here’s to the bright New Year
And a fond farewell to the old;
Here’s to the things that are yet to come
And the memories that we hold.”
-Anonymous

For Birthdays

“Here’s a toast to the future, A toast to the past, And a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant; The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and dear.”
-Anonymous

“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been,
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.”
-Anonymous

For Romance

“Here’s to you who halves my sorrows and doubles my joys.
I love you more than yesterday, less than tomorrow.
May we love as long as we live, and live as long as we love.”
-Anonymous

“Come in the evening, or come in the morning,
Come when you are looked for, or come without warning,
A thousand welcomes you will find here before you,
And the oftener you come here the more I’ll adore you.”
-Irish toast

Originally published in VegNews Magazine
Veg Guru Column Topic: The Art of Toasts
November/December 2008

PDF: VegNews – The Art of Toasts November/December 2008