❓ why
Why do we clink glasses when making a toast?
culturehistory
Quick Answer
No one knows for sure, but popular theories say it adds sound to engage all five senses or once scared away evil spirits.
The Full Story
One theory says clinking completes the sensory experience: we see, smell, taste and touch a drink, and the clink adds sound. Another claims the noise was meant to ward off evil spirits. The popular story that clinking spilled wine between glasses to prove it was not poisoned is not supported by evidence. The word 'toast' comes from an old custom of dropping spiced toast into wine to improve its flavour.
Key Facts
1.The custom of drinking to someone's health dates back to ancient Greece and Rome.
2.In Hungary, some people avoid clinking beer glasses, tied to a legend about the 1849 executions of Hungarian revolutionaries.
3.Maintaining eye contact while clinking is expected in many European countries.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why We Clink Glasses — Myths and Origins"