Toast

Slices of bread heated rapidly so as to crisp the surface. Served with preserves, especially marmalade, and butter at breakfast, or as a snack.

Known at least since the 15th Century 'Austin Manuscripts' (Austin 1440); "caste þer-to Safroune, powder Pepyr, Sugre, an Salt, an serue forth alle hote as tostes"

Until the middle of the 19th cent it was common to put pieces of toast on wine or beer. Shakespeare's 'Merry Wives of Windsor' has "Go, fetch me a quart of Sacke, put a tost in 't."


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Evening Telegraph, 1937