Happy Wednesday! Today I’m bringing you a bit of random trivia about what the tradition of clinking glasses and saying “cheers” really means. I don’t know about you all, but I’ve never given it much thought. It was just one of those things that you did, right?
Well, no. According to this article, people cheer for a number of reasons – including as a way to avoid being poisoned. And to ward off ghosts or evil spirits. Who knew? Wickeds, what does toasting and sending “cheers” mean to you? Or, what is your favorite thing to toast?
Edith/Maddie: Well, the word used for “cheers” in several European languages – salud, santé, saúde – means “health.” German prosit means, essentially, “Do well!” Kampai in Japanese means “Drain your glass” – or, I guess, “Bottoms up.” For me, whatever the language, it’s a ritual of sharing a glass and of wishing my fellow drinkers well.
Barb: One thing I’ve noticed, now that the next generation of grandchildren, grandnieces and nephews is coming along, is that toddlers love a good “cheers.” It’s one of the first social rituals they glom onto. They’re always happy to clink a glass, or a sippy cup, and say, “Cheers!” with the rest of the family.
Sherry: Barb, we went through a phase of always having sparkling cider in the house for Elizabeth and her friends to toast with. I was in the play the Diary of Anne Frank in high school and we did a L’Chaim — to life toast. I’ve always loved that one. We do a cheers when we have family dinners. And toasts are a huge part of military dining ins and dining outs. There is a whole protocol for them.
Jessie: We toast all sorts of things at my house! Champagne is one of my favorite beverages. We cheer each other on habitually but for reallly noteworthy things we will stand at the dining table and give a short speech remarking on the triumph of another and then the speech maker leads thefamily in a rousing, three-round chorus of hip, hip hooray with glasses held aloft. It is has been a tradition in our home since forever and one of my favorite quirky things about life with my family.
Readers, tell us what you’re most likely to offer up some “Cheers!” for in the comments!