Let's live up to our reputation as merry-makers and raise our glass.
In the country of Gargantua, we toast as we breathe.
"Health!... and in the eyes"
, growl some gay lads.
But where does this tradition come from?
Why wish each other good health at this festive time, when joy and happiness go hand in hand?
The editor invites you to come back in a series of articles on these traditions and superstitions that dot our daily lives.
This week, let's go back to the use of saying "cheers!"
before having a drink.
” READ ALSO – “Enchanted”, a polite formula (but banished by good manners)
Drink to the health of the dead
Let's go back to antiquity.
The custom was then to drink to celebrate the dead and the gods.
The Greeks and Romans poured libations, which they offered as sacrifices, hoping to receive health in return.
It is also said, without being certain of this explanation, that the tradition dates back to the Middle Ages.
At a time when suspicion was king, and there was continual fear for one's life, it was a good omen to keep an eye on one's plate... and one's glass.
At the risk of possibly ingesting poison...
This is how we used to clink our glass with that of others, so as to avoid the attempt at poisoning.
Because once the beverages were mixed, the poison would then have been drunk by everyone!
This is also the reason why we look into the eyes of the person with whom we drink, to watch him.
And at the same time, it was firmly believed that alcohol was beneficial for purifying the body and improving sleep.
Imagine a world where drunkenness was a cure...!
This is how our tradition was born.
Chinese “tchin-tchin”
And the
“tchin-tchin”
then?
The formula would come from
tsing-tsing
, which means "hello"
,
borrowed from pidgin, a language formed from English and Far Eastern languages.
She appeared in France at the very beginning of the 20th century, to say:
“Salut!
honor to you”
, informs the CNRTL.
It was not until 1935 that the expression became synonymous with:
"to your health!"
, launched at the time of toasting, or making a toast.
"Tchin-tchin"
was also a way of greeting in the manner of the Chinese.
We're not the only ones raising our glasses with a quick note.
Anglo-Americans say
“cheers!”
, which would come from the old French
cheer
, or
"good mood"
.
The Germans launch
“prost!”
, when the Spaniards wish each
other “salúd!”
.
We say
“belsalamati!”
in Arabic, and
“na zdorovie!”
in Russian.
Cheers!
