Today we explore this habit while uncovering (and debunking) three
theories that could explain why we clink our goblets, mugs and glasses
in the ways that we do.
Keeping Evil Spirits at Bay
The medieval ages were a haven for religious
beliefs and, of course, wine. It could be possible that our clinking
habits stem back to a time when dark magic, witchcraft and evil energies
were feared throughout communities. In order to keep the demons and
evil energies at bay, people would clink glasses together in order to
replicate the sound of church bells ringing. A similar story arises from
pagan cultures in earlier times. Germanic tribes would actually bang
their cups to the table in order to scare away ghosts. Talk about
getting in the spirit.
Debunked: Clay
and wooden mugs were generally used to drink from during this era,
neither of which would sound like chiming bells, adding a certain
skepticism to this theory.
Safeguard Against Poisoning
Another story believed to originate from the
medieval ages looks to the popular fashion of poisoning one's enemies.
Rumor has it that enemies would frequently slip vials of poison into
cups and jugs of wine before using their best possible acting skills to
avoid suspicion. In order to avoid such travesties, a custom was thought
to have been created where all those drinking would slam their goblets
together so wine would spill over the edges into everyone's cup. That
way everyone would be screwed.
Debunked:
After further research, it turns out these 'poisoning tales' were
exactly that, just tales! A fictional novel written by Alexandre Dumas
in the 1800's advanced the idea that enemies often poisoned each other,
but alas, his stories were just fiction. Medieval folk may have been
nicer than we thought.
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