Definition: tchin – tchin

Well, in the Middle Ages, poisoning food or drink was a widespread practice in certain circles. Exchanging a little of one's drink with someone else was therefore, in those dangerous times, a sign of mutual trust. Glasses were filled to the brim with wine or beer (aperitifs did not exist), and were often made of solid materials (silver, pewter, iron, wood). One of the two drinkers would begin by tapping their glass against the other's so that some of the liquid splashed over and reached the other glass (first toast). The second drinker would of course return the courtesy (^second Tchin).

Over time, trust between drinkers returned, and now we only clink glasses once, without any roughness (Tchin!). It is curious to note that during the 1970s, this custom tended to die out, replaced by the American way of raising glasses. Since the 1980s, the tradition has made a comeback, but who knows why?