Santana Ramos

Mrs. Cunningham
AP English Lang & Comp
Period 3
9/2/14
Toast
What comes to mind upon hearing the word "toast"? It could be something as common
and informal as a single slice of bread, or as elegant as a glass of champagne. Perhaps what
comes to mind is not the noun, but the adjective-to be toasty, or even the slang term. Toast is a
rather delightful word that is not used nearly as often as it should be. The fact that it has several
definitions can be rather confusing, but do not fret. Soon enough, the difference between each
meaning will become clear, and the use of the word "toast" will be confidently displayed
throughout everyday language.
"Let us propose a toast to the newlyweds!" proclaims the best man at the wedding. What
could this be? A wedding tradition of some sort, dedicating toasted bread to the newlywed
couple? Why, do not be fooled. This is a more formal use of the word, which calls for a group to
raise their glasses and drink in honor of a certain person, or thing. It is a sort of salute, or tribute.
Perhaps one has received a promotion at work. Upon celebrating this promotion, one might
propose a toast in order to recognize the success of said person. A toast may be proposed to any
event one finds worthy of glorifying! A milestone in life, a goal accomplished, or possibly to
express appreciation for a person or group of people. Though the proposing of a toast often
occurs at grand celebrations, it is not prohibited from being used in the recognition of smaller
accomplishments, contrary to popular belief. Also contrary to popular belief, this tradition did
not originate from attempts to prevent poisoning (as the clanking together of the glass would
cause one drink to spill into another, and one might poison themselves).

Though the actual use of the word "toast" in this fashion was brought into being in the
16th century, the gesture was used many, many years before then. In ancient times, people
gathered to drink together drank out of the same bowl to display trust and unity. When drinking
shifted to individual glasses, the clinking of the glass was added so each individual was
connected to the well-wishing of the toast, again signifying the unity of the people gathered.
Now one is left to wonder: why the choice of the word "toast" for this practice? Ancient people
didn't always have the finest wine to drink, and would place a piece of toasted bread at the
bottom of their glass to temper the bad taste. Ah, toasted bread, probably the most common use
of the word "toast" in today's times!
A slice of toasted bread with any sort or spread can make for a quick and tasty snack, or
possibly a small meal. This bread is mostly referred to as "toast", for short. Though it is unclear
when this trend became popular, toasted bread has been around for centuries. Toasters, devices
designed to toast bread slices easily, were invented in the early 1900s. The word toast in this
form means "to burn as the sun does; parch", and is derived from Old French and Latin words.
Which leads to the next use of the word, as an adjective. Describing something as toasty
generally implies it is warm or hot. For example: "It is getting rather toasty in here." This does
not imply that there are a vast number of toasts being proposed, nor that there is an abundance of
toasted bread present, but rather that the room is becoming warm. There is yet another use of the
word that also stems from the form of the word that has to do with heat.
"You're toast," an older sibling spits at the younger through gritted teeth. This is what the
use of the slang term would look like in an everyday situation. The slang term for toast is
synonymous to other phrases such as "dead meat" or "goner", and it means "to be doomed, in
trouble, done for". This form of the word has no distinct origin. It is, however, known to have

come into existence shortly before or during the 1980s and is relatively new compared to the
other definitions of the word. This expression can be used to describe the utter hopelessness of a
person or thing in any given situation.
With its many different meanings, toast is a word that can be used in a variety of ways.
Toast is a word that is often overlooked by the public unless under certain occasions and
circumstances. This essay was meant to inform others on the many uses of the word, in hopes
that it might be revived to its former glory. A toast to the word toast, and its array of definitions.