The Toast:

We call it a “toast” when we drink to someone because of an old French custom in which a piece of bread was put in the bottom of the wine cup—for flavor.

Party-goers would drink and pass the cup; when it reached the person being toasted, he would drain it—crouton and all. It sounds pretty unhygienic. But think of how much more excitement a crunchy beverage would bring to the traditional wedding toast. I’d drink to that.