Raise your mug of beer to the world or how to say cheers! inZulu

Website design By BotEap.comThe tycoons did it. So did the Vikings. “The mouth of a perfectly happy man is full of beer.” After coining that phrase, don’t you think this anonymous Egyptian from 2200 B.C. C. kept it to himself. I can see him lifting his drinking vessel towards his neighbors on the Nile side as he repeats the words.

Website design By BotEap.comEvery country in the world has some form of traditional drinking toast, often dozens of them. Usually a word or two, ordinary toasts aren’t in the same league as toasts to the bride (which can ring for hours) or to the retiree who’s been with us for 30 years but prefers to eat while it’s hot. . All of these really need to be reported, especially if a meal is being served. Everyday toasts, without black tie, in corner pubs exist in all cultures and the vast majority simply mean ‘I wish you good health’. It is not for nothing that it is the English who have deviated from the norm. ‘Cheers’, ‘Down the Hatch’, ‘Bottoms up’ and many more. I always assumed the latter referred to the bottom of the glass, however Hawaiians have taken it literally. ‘Okole Maluna’ means ‘buttocks up’. I am including a list of multinational toasts to impress your friends and use as a sign of respect when in the company of people from different cultures.

Website design By BotEap.comHere’s some etiquette to go with your cosmopolitan language skills. It is customary to toast the first round, letting the host go first. There is some controversy about the clinking of glasses. The tradition is said to have started as a clever way to test the authenticity of the crystal of the host. Whether the Vikings clinked wooden goblets or not, it is considered more civilized to ‘knock glasses’ rather than clink them together in a clattering crash. And while you’re at it, serve on the left and take away on the right!

Website design By BotEap.comToasts of Many Lands

Website design By BotEap.comThis is just a sampling of simple drinking toasts from around the world. Some are impossible to find in language dictionaries as they are colloquial, slang or dialect phrases. I apologize in advance for any misspellings: I am not a linguist. The meanings have been included where I could find them. Fill in the blanks if you can. Some are just a general ‘cheers’. If you were placing a bet on a possible translation, you wouldn’t lose money by suggesting that each of these toasts wishes the recipient continued health and general well-being. My spell checker is about to go crazy!

Website design By BotEap.comza vashe zdorovye (Russian)

Website design By BotEap.comslainte duine a ol (irish) to your health

Website design By BotEap.comgenatzt (Armenian)

Website design By BotEap.coma sua saude (Portuguese) good health

Website design By BotEap.coma vos sante (French) to your health

Website design By BotEap.combanzai (long life) (Japanese) or

Website design By BotEap.comkanpai (dry cup!) (Japanese)

Website design By BotEap.combud mo (Ukrainian)

Website design By BotEap.comcin cin (chin chin) (health) (Italian) or

Website design By BotEap.comalla salute (in good health) (Italian)

Website design By BotEap.comproost (dutch) greetings

Website design By BotEap.comvivat (Polish) revival, survival