Cin Cin!

The Ritual of Salute!

With the clink of my Nebbiolo, a little food query entered my mind:

Why do we do this? Where did this ritual come from?

The spirited act of clinking glasses is a shared tradition across the world. It’s one of the few food rituals that has evolved and become deeply ingrained in many food and eating cultures.

Is this due to globalization? Or are we more innately connected than we realize?

Determined to uncover the origins of the clink, I set out on a mission.

To summarize the rabbit hole I fell into—there is no definitive answer. But there are plenty of interesting theories.

---

1. For the Gods

It's a dramatic subtitle, but I wanted to start with a bit of drama. The primitive concept of “cheers” or Cin Cin, as we know it today, was not originally a celebratory toast but rather a spiritual offering to a higher power. This offering could have been a blood sacrifice or wine, given to a god or gods as a plea for assistance or a gesture of gratitude.

Many ancient cultures practiced similar rituals, but one of the most notable is the Bacchic tradition. Bacchus, the god of wine, was honored with a ritual that involved pouring a drink into a glass, raising it up, and pouring a little on the floor as a wish for good health and fortune.

In a way, it's not so different from pouring one out for the homies today.

2. “Bypass” Poisoning and Evil

Two other stories date back to medieval times.

Back then, everyone—and their mother—feared being poisoned. In response, they devised a way to supposedly avoid such a grim fate… or at least make sure they weren’t dying alone.

Tavern patrons would smash their glasses together with such force that liquid from one would spill into the other, effectively mixing drinks. The idea was that if someone had poisoned one cup, both would now be tainted, ensuring mutual trust—or mutual destruction. Personally, this seems like a surefire way to guarantee mass murder, but what do I know?

The other tale suggests that clinking glasses wasn’t about celebration at all but rather a way to ward off evil spirits. It was believed that the sharp sound of glass striking glass was deafening to these spirits, driving them away. A bit far-fetched? Probably.

3. Cinque Sensi

Drinking engages four of the five senses. You see the beverage’s color in the glass, inhale its aroma, taste its flavors, and feel the liquid on your tongue. But sound is largely absent from the experience—aside from the faint swish of liquid in the glass or the subtle noise of swallowing.

The ritual of cheers changes that. The clinking of glasses introduces sound, completing the sensory experience and making the act of drinking truly immersive. This origin story, to me, is the most proactive as it feels that someone sat down and truly thought about the drinking experience.

4. Back to the French

According to my research, the traditional “cheers” we say today originates from the French word chiere, which originally meant “face” or “head.” By the 18th century, its meaning evolved to “gladness” and was used to express positivity. Today, “cheers” is a simple yet symbolic way to toast, offering good wishes to those around us.

Back at it with the French adding to food culture. I am learning that maybe I need to dive deeper into their customs and impact on the food world today.

---

Cheers in Other Languages

• Afrikaans – Gesondheid

• Scottish, Irish Gaelic – Sláinte (pronounced slawn-cha)

• Spanish – Salud

• German – Prost

• Danish – Skal –(pronounced Skoal)

• Dutch – Proost (pronounced prohst)

• French – Sante

• Japanese – Kanpai

• Portuguese – Saude

• Italian - Salute, Cin Cin

• American English - Cheers

---

Final Thoughts:

No matter how this clink started, it is a positive ritual that brings people together.

So, Cheers! To all who read my stories here at Sapori Stori.

Eat Well,

Ella

---