'Brindis' is great! I've noticed that in most cases my German friends don't actually use the German word 'Prost' but instead 'Cheers'. I guess (besides the ever growing influence of the big-nation-in-the-west) 'Cheers' is just nicer because it's a smile-word :-) 'Prost' is a fish-word :-o 'Brindis' is a smile-and-wink-word ;-)
I think to remember (I was not there, so just gossip) that Galois did a toast for the new King, "To the King...", but his left hand was on the pommels of his sword when he told "... expecting he will fulfill the agreements" or something so. Other versions tell his hand was holding a knife. In any case, he was "clearly" menacing the King!
I didn't know that. But probably there are lots of Americans who never toast because they never drink alcohol and toasting is seen as something that's only done with alcohol. Well, I guess this is your "low brow" correspondent's experience anyway. ;-)
But you don't have to drink alcohol to toast, do you? I had a friend who'd toast To our livers, but I know many people who just toast with soda or juice or whatever. I'm not a big drinker myself, I can hold onto a glass of wine a whole night. But I'm not a big toaster either. Never know what to toast to. To my new paper? To my one-thousandst past due bill? To climate change? What's the thing to toast to this season?
Best,
B.
5:48 PM, December 11, 2006
Cynthia said...
Hi Bee!
By alluding to the Virgin Mary's face imprinted upon a grilled-cheese sandwich, you're--oddly enough--somewhat in keeping with the holiday spirit.;)
Keep in mind though, The Bad Astronomer--sometime in September--reached new heights (actually, reached new depths;)), when he posted on the ultimate intimate in pareidolia.
Not only is his post--entitled "Holy...well, holy something"--destined to be a classic, the comment thread is likewise to become a classic. To name a few comments from the thread: "Well, god backwards is dog, after all"; "Holy holes Batman!"; "Who says god doesn't have a sense of humor?"; "Dogs-bottom-Jesus"; and finally "Are the Apostles the testicles?"
By the way, I would, if I could, create a link to this post. At present--sorry to say--I'm incurably a one-dimensional practitioner when it comes to mining for, in turn, harnessing newfangled tricks on the internet.
All the best, Cynthia
6:19 PM, December 11, 2006
Markk said...
In the upper midwest of the US: Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, parts of Michigan, etc. "Prost" is very common. Also I never remember anyone worrying about whether someone had an alcoholic drink in a toast or not - a glass of water was fine - and this was in the drunkest city in the US according to Forbes.
1:23 PM, December 20, 2006
... why the toast is a toast?
Yesterday, I went to the groceries store and was greeted by an ad saying: It's the toast season! Okay, I wondered, what kind of a tradition is this? Do Canadians toast maple leaves on their bread or what? Upon second inspection however, (I think I need new glasses) the sign turned out to stand in front of the wine department.[Image]
"The word derives from the Latin word 'tostare' (to scorch or roast - i.e. toast ). From Classical times it was common to flavour wine by floating small pieces of toasted bread in it. Sometimes these sippets would be flavoured with spices; at other times the carbon alone would mellow the wine."
Wikipedia clarifies appropriate toasting behaviour in the US and Canada, apparently written by someone who was tired of endless toasty speeches while he had to hold a glass of wine in mid air:
"The following guidelines apply specifically to toasting in Canada and the United States:
Most people will lightly touch glasses when giving a toast, often saying "toast", "cheers" or a short phrase such as "to us". Toasting without touching glasses is increasingly popular and is regarded by some as a slightly more sophisticated mode of behavior.Except during formal occasions [...] it is not very common to "propose a toast" in the more formal sense. However, when someone does make such an gesture, it is almost invariably met with approval regardless of the setting or the occasion.If someone wants to "propose a toast as well", this second toast should have a different focus than the first [...] Ideally, this toast is briefer than the first so as not upstage it. Subsequent toasts, if any, should even more succinct.Americans and Canadians typically toast only once per gathering, if at all. Even lifting one's glass and saying "cheers" each time a new drink is poured isn't in line with local etiquette and, while not impolite, may be seen as a bit tedious."
[Image]Also: since it's the toast season, have a close look at your breakfast before you eat it. It might turn out to have heavenly messages on it. One of the most absurd stories I've heard about eBay is certainly that of the toast with the Virgin Mary face that has been sold for $28.000. Even though a bite is missing from it. What's even more absurd than this toast being sold for such an amount is that it was bought, not by a religious nutcase, but by an internet casino saying the toast had become a "part of pop culture".
"Did you know... (III)"
10 Comments -
We call it a "brindis" in Spain. Sort of "offer to".
11:10 AM, December 11, 2006
Hey Leucipio,
'Brindis' is great! I've noticed that in most cases my German friends don't actually use the German word 'Prost' but instead 'Cheers'. I guess (besides the ever growing influence of the big-nation-in-the-west) 'Cheers' is just nicer because it's a smile-word :-) 'Prost' is a fish-word :-o 'Brindis' is a smile-and-wink-word ;-)
Best,
B.
12:08 PM, December 11, 2006
Hmm I would clarify. The act is "brindis". The word to be say, "Salud" (or any happy desire) when it is one-to-one or many-to-many.
When it is "one-to-many" it depends, it could be sort of "Gracias" (thank you) or some "va por ustedes" (I am doing it for you all).
I understand that in german there is also this kind of one-to-many toast. It was famous the 60th bithday of David Hilbert.
12:35 PM, December 11, 2006
Now I remember that Galois was jailed because of a toast!
12:37 PM, December 11, 2006
What's the story with Galois?
I probably should have learned Spanish in high school instead of Latin.
Salud,
B.
12:41 PM, December 11, 2006
I think to remember (I was not there, so just gossip) that Galois did a toast for the new King, "To the King...", but his left hand was on the pommels of his sword when he told "... expecting he will fulfill the agreements" or something so. Other versions tell his hand was holding a knife. In any case, he was "clearly" menacing the King!
1:26 PM, December 11, 2006
I didn't know that. But probably there are lots of Americans who never toast because they never drink alcohol and toasting is seen as something that's only done with alcohol. Well, I guess this is your "low brow" correspondent's experience anyway. ;-)
3:42 PM, December 11, 2006
Hey RaeAnn,
But you don't have to drink alcohol to toast, do you? I had a friend who'd toast To our livers, but I know many people who just toast with soda or juice or whatever. I'm not a big drinker myself, I can hold onto a glass of wine a whole night. But I'm not a big toaster either. Never know what to toast to. To my new paper? To my one-thousandst past due bill? To climate change? What's the thing to toast to this season?
Best,
B.
5:48 PM, December 11, 2006
Hi Bee!
By alluding to the Virgin Mary's face imprinted upon a grilled-cheese sandwich, you're--oddly enough--somewhat in keeping with the holiday spirit.;)
Keep in mind though, The Bad Astronomer--sometime in September--reached new heights (actually, reached new depths;)), when he posted on the ultimate intimate in pareidolia.
Not only is his post--entitled "Holy...well, holy something"--destined to be a classic, the comment thread is likewise to become a classic. To name a few comments from the thread: "Well, god backwards is dog, after all"; "Holy holes Batman!"; "Who says god doesn't have a sense of humor?"; "Dogs-bottom-Jesus"; and finally "Are the Apostles the testicles?"
By the way, I would, if I could, create a link to this post. At present--sorry to say--I'm incurably a one-dimensional practitioner when it comes to mining for, in turn, harnessing newfangled tricks on the internet.
All the best,
Cynthia
6:19 PM, December 11, 2006
In the upper midwest of the US: Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, parts of Michigan, etc. "Prost" is very common. Also I never remember anyone worrying about whether someone had an alcoholic drink in a toast or not - a glass of water was fine - and this was in the drunkest city in the US according to Forbes.
1:23 PM, December 20, 2006