It is customary to drink to the 'health' of the living while toasting. This practice would come from the ancient Greek and Roman rite of pouring libations (sacred liquid spread as an offering) to the gods and drinking in honor of the gods and the dead during ceremonial banquets. Toasting would be a vestige of these sacrificial libations associated with the expression of a wish today summed up by the expression 'Health !' pronounced when toasting.