ional hazard for a Toastmaster was getting inebriated due to the number of toasts being proposed and becoming incapable of carrying out their duties. To overcome this problem special Toastmaster glasses were made with thick bowls that held only small quantities of wine whilst looking full. This allowed the Toastmaster to propose many toasts whiWhere does the verb 'to toast' come from? When did it become associated with drinking? And just how does a Toastmaster stay sober whilst toasting all the guests? Like all traditions, the story of how today's toastmasters evolved is a tale of coincidence and accident.

The master of ceremonies (MC) is often referred to as a toastmaster and vice versa. The origins of the toastmaster can be traced back over three hundred years, although the exact history of the English toastmaster is still up for debate.

The tradition of drinking to the health of guests, dignitaries, gods and goddesses has been around since ancient history and is well documented in Greek and Roman times. The term “toast” as associated with the drinking of someone’s health is believed to have come from the Middle Ages when spiced toast was added to wine to improve the flavour! The person responsible for this duty became known as the “Master of the Toast”. The first known instance of a “toast” to a person was recorded in 1649 – when the spiced toast was taken to a lady - and the Master of the Toast or Toastmaster, or latterly the Butler, thereafter took on the role of proposing the toasts.

It is generally accepted that the first notable toastmaster was Richard “Beau” Nash. In 1705 he set himself up as a master of ceremonies in Bath and later in Tunbridge Wells. One occupational hazard for a Toastmaster was getting inebriated due to the number of toasts being proposed and becoming incapable of carrying out their duties. To overcome this problem special Toastmaster glasses were made with thick bowls that held only small quantities of wine whilst looking full. This allowed the Toastmaster to propose many toasts whil and vice versa. The origins of the toastmaster can be traced back over three hundred years, although the exact history of the English toastmaster is still up for debate.

The tradition of drinking to the health of guests, dignitaries, gods and goddesses has been around since ancient history and is well documented in Greek and Roman times. The term “toast” as associated with the drinking of someone’s health is believed to have come from the Middle Ages when spiced toast was added to wine to improve the flavour! The person responsible for this duty became known as the “Master of the Toast”. The first known instance of a “toast” to a person was recorded in 1649 – when the spiced toast was taken to a lady - and the Master of the Toast or Toastmaster, or latterly the Butler, thereafter took on the role of proposing the toasts.

It is generally accepted that the first notable toastmaster was Richard “Beau” Nash. In 1705 he set himself up as a master of ceremonies in Bath and later in Tunbridge Wells. One occupational hazard for a Toastmaster was getting inebriated due to the number of toasts being proposed and becoming incapable of carrying out their duties. To overcome this problem special Toastmaster glasses were made with thick bowls that held only small quantities of wine whilst looking full. This allowed the Toastmaster to propose many toasts whies. The term “toast” as associated with the drinking of someone’s health is believed to have come from the Middle Ages when spiced toast was added to wine to improve the flavour! The person responsible for this duty became known as the “Master of the Toast”. The first known instance of a “toast” to a person was recorded in 1649 – when the spiced toast was taken to a lady - and the Master of the Toast or Toastmaster, or latterly the Butler, thereafter took on the role of proposing the toasts.

It is generally accepted that the first notable toastmaster was Richard “Beau” Nash. In 1705 he set himself up as a master of ceremonies in Bath and later in Tunbridge Wells. One occupational hazard for a Toastmaster was getting inebriated due to the number of toasts being proposed and becoming incapable of carrying out their duties. To overcome this problem special Toastmaster glasses were made with thick bowls that held only small quantities of wine whilst looking full. This allowed the Toastmaster to propose many toasts whid toast was taken to a lady - and the Master of the Toast or Toastmaster, or latterly the Butler, thereafter took on the role of proposing the toasts.

It is generally accepted that the first notable toastmaster was Richard “Beau” Nash. In 1705 he set himself up as a master of ceremonies in Bath and later in Tunbridge Wells. One occupational hazard for a Toastmaster was getting inebriated due to the number of toasts being proposed and becoming incapable of carrying out their duties. To overcome this problem special Toastmaster glasses were made with thick bowls that held only small quantities of wine whilst looking full. This allowed the Toastmaster to propose many toasts whiional hazard for a Toastmaster was getting inebriated due to the number of toasts being proposed and becoming incapable of carrying out their duties. To overcome this problem special Toastmaster glasses were made with thick bowls that held only small quantities of wine whilst looking full. This allowed the Toastmaster to propose many toasts whilst just taking a small sip thus minimising the effect of the wine.

In 1894 the noted Toastmaster, William Knight Smith became concerned about being mistaken for a butler – a role considered inferior to his position. His wife suggested he wear a coat in military red to distinguish the role and the Prince of Wales (later Edward the Seventh) formally approved of the colour. To this day the military red coat is recognised as the mark of the modern Toastmaster.

The master of ceremonies or Toastmaster is often seen at wedding receptions and at official banquets, charity event and formal corporate dinners. Often dressed in ceremonial clothes, most noticeably the traditional red tail coat, the toastmaster brings centuries of tradition to any formal occasion, dinner, wedding reception or other formal event. He brings with him experience of dealing with these sort of formal occasions, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the event and ensures that the proceedings run according to plan and on time.