Hi Debby, A damned fine question, in my opinion! Such considerations fascinate me, so I looked it up on the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/ - worth bookmarking), and you were right! :-)) "A call to drink to someone's health," perhaps mid-17c., but first attested 1700, originally referring to the beautiful or popular woman whose health is proposed and drunk, from the use of spiced toast to flavor drink, the lady regarded as figuratively adding piquancy to the wine in which her health was drunk." Davy Cannon Dorchester, Dorset > Something occurred to me while reading this - is this the origin of > "toasting" as in,raising your glass? > > Debby - who knows nothing about this subject > > > > I remember when my parents made country wines at home, you mixed the > fruit, > > water and sugar together in a large bowl, and then added the yeast on a > piece > > of toast. When fermentation had taken place, the wine was then bottled. > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.679 / Virus Database: 441 - Release Date: 07/05/2004 > > > ==== ENG-DORSET-LIFE Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from ENG-DORSET-LIFE Digest mode send a message to > ENG-DORSET-LIFE-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com with just the word unsubscribe in the subject line and message body. > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237