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Tolkien’s Birthday: Raise a glass!
Via Bettnet we learn the following from the Tolkien Society:
On the 3rd January 1892 JRR Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. To celebrate this event, on this day each year Tolkien fans around the world are invited to raise a glass and toast the birthday of this much loved author.
The toast is "The Professor".
For those unfamiliar with British toast-drinking ceremonies:
To make the Birthday Toast, you stand, raise a glass of your choice of drink (not necessarily alcoholic), and say the words ‘The Professor’ before taking a sip (or swig, if that’s more appropriate for your drink). Sit and enjoy the rest of your drink.
Father Z is absolutely correct on his precis of how to toast, except that it is traditionally considered rude to toast someone with a glass of water.
Comment by Pius_X — 3 January 2008 @ 9:55 amSince Tolkien was a devout Catholic, wouldn’t it be most appropriate to toast “The Professor” with something made by monks, Chartreuse for example?
Comment by Matthew — 3 January 2008 @ 10:05 amBut, what was his favourite drink, at least in his books?
Comment by Fr Renzo di Lorenzo — 3 January 2008 @ 10:10 amFather di Lorenzo,
That, of course, would be the same as mine…BEER!
Comment by Jon — 3 January 2008 @ 12:19 pmWell, if you go by the Hobbits, it would be beer, specifically ales.
Comment by Matthew — 3 January 2008 @ 12:31 pm...And perhaps not inappropriate, as Christmas is still with us, to toast the Professor with the words of another English Catholic whom I much admire. I’m sure the Professor and his pal C.S. Lewis would’ve gladly clanked loud flagons over it at the Bird and Baby.
From Hilaire Belloc’s THE FOUR MEN:
Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
A Catholic tale I Have to tell!
And a Christian song I have to sing
While all the bells in Arundel ring.
I pray good beef and I pray good beer
This holy night of all the year,
But I pray detestable drink for them
That give no honour to Bethlehem.
May all good fellows that here agree
Comment by Jon — 3 January 2008 @ 12:33 pmDrink Audit Ale in heaven with me,
And may all my enemies go to hell!
Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
May all my enemies go to hell!
Noel! Noel!
Dependent on culture – an empty glass is also rude or offensive.
Comment by AlephGamma — 3 January 2008 @ 3:45 pmFr. Z: Thanks for the link.
Anar kaluva tielyanna!
Derik
Comment by Derik Castillo — 3 January 2008 @ 9:00 pmPius X said: Father Z is absolutely correct on his precis of how to toast, except that it is traditionally considered rude to toast someone with a glass of water.
Though it is acceptable for Jacobites to pass their toast over a glass of water to toast the King over the Water. ;-)
Comment by Jordan Potter — 3 January 2008 @ 9:22 pmBetter late than never. My computer was “infested” until exorcized so I missed this one. As a charter member of Traddrinkers I would caution against swigging Chartreuse or even B & B. A simple Sam Adams Boston Ale or Flying Fish Belgian Dubbel might be the proper libation to salute Gandalf’s padrone.
Comment by mike conlon — 5 January 2008 @ 1:15 pm