The article talks about what is “toast”, about versions of the origin of this word. When and why were the first table speeches made? What is the story of toast? How did the first fried breads, which are also called toasts, come about? Does this word have other meanings? Let's figure it out.
Pronounced toasts
The meaning of the word “toast” is a short speech to the audience. It was pronounced before drinking a glass or a glass of wine, or any other alcoholic drink.
It is believed that the custom of making a toast arose in ancient times. Most likely, its roots go back to the customs of sacrificing to the gods, including wine. Often the sacrifice was accompanied by a feast on which the gods praised.
Etymology. Version one
There are many versions about the origin of the word in this meaning, and scientists still have not come to a consensus. Here are some of them.
The Turkic version in the etymology of "toast" is the most convincing to date. She speaks of the existence of the word tostakan in this language, which denoted the type of wooden utensil, a small low bowl resembling a bowl. Then this word migrated to the Old Russian letter “Dostakan” (in particular, it falls into the Spiritual Letter of Ivan Kalita dated 1356). The words “toast” and “glass” arose from him already and became common - after all, often a glass with a drunken drink was raised to make a toast.
By the way, like drinking utensils, toastagan - something between a bowl and a bowl - still exists in Kazakhstan, it usually serves koumiss.
Second version
According to the next version, this word owes its origin to the Latin tostus - “bread” (according to the English tradition, toast is a slice of toasted bread).
Allegedly, in ancient times, the ancient Romans dipped a toasted piece of bread in wine or other intoxicating drink at their feasts so that it acquired a bread smell. Probably, later this tradition disappeared, but another arose: raising the goblet, say a small monologue, emphasizing the importance of the moment.
In favor of this notion of toast is the historical fact that the wine at that time was of very poor quality and before the draining of the vessel, the pouring drink should be allowed to settle. Perhaps a pause was filled with a small speech.
In addition, scientists have doubts about the existence of the tradition of dipping slices of fried bread into wine - most likely, they say, because of poverty, some Roman citizens got bread only moistened with wine.
Although somewhat different is possible: to reduce the acid of the drink, dried bread was placed in a vessel with it.
The English word toast is also called a sub-version - the “toasted piece of bread” along with a glass of drink in the old days was usually served to the person who was about to make a speech. Although this raises some doubts, the future speaker chewing bread in front of the audience would have looked rather ridiculous.
Mystical and religious roots
Today it is not customary to associate a toast, for example, with an appeal to God. However, historically, the meaning of toast is associated with prayer among many nationalities. For example, in the understanding of the Abkhazians for a long time prayer and toast were synonymous words. This means that with the help of making toasts, representatives of this nationality asked for something higher forces. Some sources report at least 99 different most important toasts. Pronouncing specifically any of them depended on the situation, the number of people present at the feast, as well as their status.
For the majority of the Caucasian peoples, toast-prayers, as was customary with their ancestors, eventually turned into small or very detailed stories with their plot and meaning.
What is toast today? It can be long or short, funny and instructive. Only the end of most toasts, as a rule, is the same: "... So let's drink for that ...".
What are the toasts?
We are talking here, of course, about the variety of toasts, appeals to others. Speech can be delivered as a greeting to the guest who came to the meeting, he can express joy at the general meeting, the toast can sound like a toast to each of the company or to all those gathered.
The very first toast should be pronounced by the owner of the house. Then the guests pick up the initiative. After such speeches, guests usually clink glasses (although it is not customary to clink glasses in official settings and in a number of other cases). Anyone who makes a toast is ordered by etiquette to wait until others drink or at least drain their glasses by half - and only then can he drink too.
The so-called "silent toast" rises for the deceased, whom those present knew. It may or may not be accompanied by words or contain their minimum ("For Ivan, may the earth rest in peace for him"). Poured drink standing up, without clinking glasses. However, after making a toast “for the departed,” the Abkhazians, for example, on the contrary, drink without getting up.
Toast toasted
This meaning of the word is associated with the English word toast. The toast bread used to make the toast is made from fine flour. Usually it is porous, has a thin crust, in the store you can buy it already cut into neat even slices. Each slice fried on both sides will be called a toast (in other words they say - toast). There are special toaster ovens for making toasts. Today they are popular and stand in many kitchens. But toasts can be made without a stove, just fried slices on both sides, for example, in a pan.
A universal snack in and of itself, in the form of sandwiches, and in the form of an addition to the main dish - this is what a toast is.
In itself, this word owes its origin to the Latin tostum, which means "to burn." Roman warriors who often went on military campaigns loved to fry bread on an open fire.
Generally speaking, the tradition of frying bread is very old. In fact, he peers at the custom of baking bread. There is evidence that even the ancient Egyptians did this, but toasts in the UK became truly a national treasure. And when the English colonists brought this dish to America (in the form of sandwiches), it quickly gained universal worship. The first toasters were also invented there.
Other meanings of the word
But what is a toast, except for the above:
- This word is used in software to refer to small notification windows about site news, messages and user statuses. They are used most often in instant messaging systems like Messenger. These windows popping up from the bottom of the screen reminded someone of the toasted croutons coming out of the toaster - hence their name.
- In addition, there is the film "Toast", shot in 2010 by British film and television director S.J. Clarkson. This tape is based on Nigel Slater's autobiographical cookbook. The film was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival (2011), and its premiere screening took place on the British channel BBC1 on December 30, 2010.
- A similar name is given to the commune in the Burgundy region of France. According to the latest census, its population was 117 people.
- Nicola Toast is the name of a German snowboarder who performs in one of the sports disciplines of snowboarding (high-pipe). In this sport, she became the first Olympic champion in 1998, as well as the winner of several stages of the World Cup held by the International Ski Federation (FIS).
We examined what the word "toast" means. We can say that this concept can be interpreted in different ways and, depending on the situation, takes on meaning.