Toast (honor)
From ArticleWorld
A toast is given to honor someone (or something). People usually drink “in honor of” someone or something. Sometime, it’s as simple of a toast in honor of a drink.
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The anatomy of a toast
There are three aspects to a toast.
First, the verbal toast, where someone gives a reason for the toast. This can be as simple as “to friendship” or “to the weather” or more complex in the case of a person — or persons — of honor (at a wedding or retirement ceremony, for example, where toasts often involve anecdotal stories and memories).
Second, the agreement, where everyone shows they concur with the verbal toast by raising the glasses and repeating a word within the toast (“Cheers!” or “Hear, Hear!” for example). In many instances, this is followed by clinking the edges of the glass with those near the toasters.
Third, the symbolic drink involves everyone taking a sip — or gulp — to confirm the agreement.
Alcoholic beverages
On many occasions a toast occurs, the toasters consume alcoholic beverages (often champagne on special occasions). This, however, is not a requirement: Children or non-drinkers can raise water, soda or juice. (It is a tradition within the United States Navy, though, that toasts not be made using water, which is considered a bad omen that the honored person will be doomed to a watery grave.)
Traditional places to toast
- At a wedding reception in Western countries a toast is often given by the best man in honor of the couple.
- During English-speaking Christmas celebrations, a toast to the season and floating a piece of toasted bread.
Well-known toasts
- Among the people of Caucasus toasts are elaborate traditions and rituals. Speeches are considered a folklore art. The most artful toasts, in tradition, are those whose parable is seemingly unrelated to the moment, but unexpectedly fits at the end.
- In “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” many alien species have toasts.