(3) a call to drink, and (4) the act of drinking. Also (Scots) toss, and as verb (B. E. and Grose). Hence top-toast = a reigning belle: cf. top (= leading) lady; toaster = the proposer of another's health.
1663-4. Butler, Hudibras [Oliphant, New Eng., ii. 104. One way of winning the love of ladies is said to be] swallowing toasts of bits of ribbon; [toast was soon to stand for a lady].
c.1696. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Tost, to name or begin a new Health. Who tosts now? Who Christens the Health? An old tost, a pert pleasant old Fellow.
1700. Congreve, Way of World, iii. 10. More censorious than a decayed beauty, or a discarded toast. Ibid., iv. 5. To drink healths, or toast fellows.
1704. Cibber, Careless Husband. [A lady's reputation is said to be the common toast of every public table.]
1707. Farquhar, Beaux's Stratagem, iii. 1. The gentleman has . . . toasted your health.
c.1708. Prior, Female Phaeton. What has she better, pray, than I, What hidden charms to boast, That all mankind for her should die Whilst I am scarce a toast! Ibid., Chameleon. Five deep he toasts the lowering lasses.
1709. Tatler, No. 24, 4 June. A celebrated beauty was in the Cross-Bath, and one of her admirers took a glass of the water in which the fair one stood, and drank her health in the company. A gay fellow, half fuddled, offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked not the liquor, he would have the toast. This whim gave foundation to the present honour which is done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever since been called a toast. [Abridged.]
1710. Steele, Tatler, 95. Her eldest daughter was within half-a-year of being a toast.
1725. Young, Love of Fame, vi. For Hervey the first wit she cannot be, Nor, cruel Richmond, the first toast for thee.
1777. Sheridan, School for Scandal, iii. 3. Let the toast pass—Drink to the lass, I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse for the glass.
d.1796. Burns, Poems (Globe), 254. My bonie sel' The toss of Ecclefechan.
d.1797. Burke, Petition of Unitarians. These insect reptiles while they go on caballing and toasting, only fill us with disgust.
1885. D. Chron., 7 Sept. The toast of the Emperor, proposed by Dr. Stephan, was received with enthusiasm, all the guests standing.
2. (old).—A toper: see Lushington. Also toast and butter: in contempt.
1598. Shakspeare, 1 Henry IV., iv. 2. 22. None but such toasts-and-butter with hearts in their bellies no bigger than pins' heads.
1614. Fletcher, Wit without Money, iv. 2. They love young toasts and butter, Bowbell suckers.
1668. Lestrange, Quevedo (1678), 306. How often must I be put to the Blush too, when every Old Toast shall be calling me Old Acquaintance.
1673. Cotton, Voyage to Ireland, iii. When having half din'd, there comes in my host, A catholic good and a rare drunken toast. Ibid. (1677), Burlesque upon Burlesque, 243. A Toss-pot and a drunken Toast.
On toast, adv. phr.- (common).—1. Cornered; swindled; done (q.v.).
1886. St. James's Gazette, 6 Nov. The judges in the High Court are always learning some new thing. Yesterday it was entered on the record that the court took judicial cognizance of a quaint and pleasing modern phrase. They discovered what it was to be had on toast.
1896. Farjeon, Betray. John Fordham, 111. 288. 'It's my night,' I sed. 'Didn't I tell yer? I've got 'im on toast.'
1900. Kipling, Stalky & Co., 64. Mason turned white with joy. He thought he had us all on toast.
2. (American).—Nicely served: of food, etc.
