Deep Dive(1000ish words)
You raise your drink, make eye contact, smile like a dork, say “cheers,” and tap glasses. It’s a routine as old as beer itself—and we’ve all done it without really asking why. So let’s dive into one of the most common barroom rituals that nobody questions—until now.
Welcome to your new party trick: explaining the history of “cheers” with just the right amount of boozy trivia and eyebrow-raising facts to make your friends call you “the smart drunk.”
The Basics: What’s a Toast?
A toast, in its simplest form, is a gesture of goodwill before taking a drink. It’s a shared moment, a sign of unity. You’re not just slamming whiskey; you’re saluting friendship, celebration, or the fact that it’s finally Friday.
But why say “cheers”? And what’s with the glass clinking—are we trying to summon spirits or just showing off our coordination?
Turns out, it’s a little bit of both.
“Cheers” – The Verbal Hug Before the Buzz
The word “cheers” comes from the Old French word chiere, meaning “face” or “expression.” Over time, it evolved into meaning gladness or good spirits—the emotional kind, not the liquid ones (though both are welcome at the bar).
By the 18th century, English-speaking folks were using “cheers” as a friendly exclamation. It was like saying “to your health!” but without sounding like a 19th-century apothecary.
Fun Fact: In many languages, the equivalent of “cheers” literally means to your health:
- Spanish – Salud
- French – Santé
- German – Prost (from the Latin prosit, meaning “may it benefit you”)
- Japanese – Kanpai (literally “dry cup,” aka “chug it”)
Apparently, humans around the globe agree: nothing says “I care about you” like hoping alcohol makes you healthier.
Clink! The Sound of Friendship… or Self-Defense?
Ah, the clink. That satisfying ting of glass meeting glass. Seems like a harmless ritual, right?
Well, like many ancient customs, the origin might be a little darker. Here are a few theories:
1. The Poison Paranoia Theory
Back in ye olden days, poisoning someone’s drink was a very real and popular way to remove enemies. Royal courts? Cutthroat. Literally.
The theory goes that people would clink glasses hard enough to make some of each drink splash into the other, proving they weren’t trying to kill each other.
Would you really risk your wine just to prove it wasn’t laced with arsenic? Questionable. But it does make for a dramatic reenactment at your next party.
2. The Five Senses Theory
When you drink, you already engage sight, smell, taste, and touch. The clink adds sound, completing the sensory set.
Think of it like the alcohol version of surround sound. It’s the Dolby Atmos of drinking rituals.
3. Scaring Off Spirits
Superstitious folks believed the clink would ward off evil spirits lurking around your beverage. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that alcohol and bad spirits go way back.
Random Fact: In medieval times, people would sometimes dip toast (yes, literal toast) into their wine to absorb acidity and make it more palatable. That’s where we get the word “toast” as part of the ritual. And yes, this makes your fancy wine party sound a lot like a soggy brunch.
Eye Contact: The Unspoken Rule
In many cultures, especially in Europe, eye contact during a toast is serious business.
In social etiquette circles, making eye contact shows sincerity and respect. Break that rule, and you might as well just spit in their pint.
Pro Tip: Don’t just clink and drink—look your fellow drinker in the eyes like you’re sealing a sacred deal. It adds drama and keeps everyone honest.
Modern Cheers Etiquette (a.k.a. Don’t Be That Guy)
Here are a few quick hits to keep your toasting game on point:
- Don’t cheers with water – Bad luck in many cultures.
- Don’t reach across the table to clink – It’s not a swordfight.
- Don’t start drinking before the toast – Wait for the signal or risk looking like an amateur.
- If someone gives a real toast (with words), don’t just say “cheers” and interrupt – Let them finish. You can make Florida State jokes after.
Weird Cheers Traditions Around the World
Let’s take a trip, barroom style:
- Georgia (the country, not the state) – Toasting is practically an art form. They have a tamada, or toastmaster, who leads the entire drinking session. Every toast is a mini speech, and you better keep up.
- Hungary – Don’t clink beer glasses. Legend says when Hungary lost a war in 1848, Austrians celebrated with beer toasts. Out of respect, Hungarians skipped the clink for over 150 years. Some still do.
- Sweden – Wait for the host to say “Skål!” and make eye contact, then clink, then drink. It’s basically a synchronized swimming routine with booze.
So… Why Do We Still Do It?
Because it feels good. It’s that little shared moment that turns “having a drink” into a celebration.
Saying “cheers” and clinking glasses is our way of turning drinking into a ritual. And humans love rituals. They make things feel important—even if it’s just a Tuesday beer with a buddy.
It’s tradition. It’s connection. And it’s kind of beautiful in a drunken, clumsy, slightly-too-loud kind of way.
One Last Toast
Next time you raise your glass and say “cheers,” you’ll know you’re not just repeating a mindless habit. You’re taking part in a tradition that spans continents and centuries, full of strange history, superstition, and a whole lot of accidental spills.
So go ahead—make eye contact, clink your glasses, and toast to health, history, and never being the person who forgets to refill their round.
Cheers.
The Quick Read(500ish words)
You’ve done it a hundred times: raise your drink, smile, say “cheers,” clink glasses, and sip. But why? Why not just drink and move on? Well, this ancient little ritual has a boozy backstory, and it’s worth knowing—especially if you like sounding clever after your second beer.
The Word “Cheers”
“Cheers” comes from the Old French chiere, meaning face or expression. Over time, it evolved into meaning good spirits or gladness. By the 1700s, it was the verbal equivalent of a friendly nod. Today, it’s a toast to health, happiness, and not spilling your drink.
Around the world, most cultures say something similar:
- Salud (Spanish)
- Santé (French)
- Prost (German)
- Kanpai (Japanese – literally “dry cup,” aka “chug it”)
Apparently, alcohol and good health have been BFFs for centuries. Who knew?
The Clink Heard ‘Round the Bar
Where did the glass-clinking come from? There are a few theories:
- Poison paranoia – In ancient times, enemies might poison each other’s drinks. Clinking hard enough to make drinks spill into one another was a trust exercise: “See? I didn’t try to kill you.”
- The Five Senses theory – Drinking already hits smell, taste, sight, and touch. Clinking adds sound—now it’s a full-body experience.
- Spiritual defense – Some believed the sound would scare away evil spirits. Because if anything hates joy and beer, it’s ghosts.
Oh, and in medieval times? People literally dropped toasted bread into their wine to improve the flavor. That’s where the word “toast” comes from.
Eye Contact: The Silent Rule
In many cultures, especially in Europe, it’s considered rude not to make eye contact when you cheers. It’s a sign of sincerity. If you’re clinking without looking someone in the eye, you’re just waving a glass around like a maniac.
A Few Etiquette Tips
- Don’t cheers with water. Super unlucky.
- Don’t start drinking before the toast.
- Don’t reach across the table to clink. It’s a drink, not a duel.
- If someone gives a real toast—let them finish. Then you can throw in your clever one-liner.
Final Sip
Saying “cheers” and clinking glasses is about more than drinking. It’s about connection, tradition, and adding a little ceremony to something as simple as sipping a cold one.
So next time you’re holding a glass, now you know—you’re not just drinking. You’re keeping centuries of weird, wonderful barroom history alive.
Cheers.
Talking Points
- “Cheers” comes from the Old French chiere, meaning face/expression → evolved into “good spirits.”
- Toasting is about wishing health, happiness, or friendship.
- Other countries say: Salud (Spanish), Santé (French), Prost (German), Kanpai (Japanese).
- Clinking glasses may have started as:
- A poison test (slosh drinks to prove they’re safe).
- Completing all five senses (sound!).
- Warding off evil spirits (clink = ghost repellent).
- “Toast” comes from putting actual toast in wine. Seriously.
- Eye contact during a toast = respect. Always make it.
- Etiquette tips:
- Don’t toast with water.
- Don’t drink before the toast.
- Don’t clink across the table like you’re in a duel.
- In Hungary, don’t clink beer (due to history).
- In Sweden, toasting is basically a choreographed routine.
- In Georgia, a toastmaster (tamada) leads elaborate toasts.
- Final thought: A toast isn’t just a tradition—it’s a connection.
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