Although the exact origins of toastmasters are arguable. It is believed to derive from Roman times, back then wine quality was  poor with lots of  sediment & particles.

The best way to deal with this was to float small pieces of toasted bread in the wine to collect the impurities. This was apparently a very skilled job and needed to be mastered with a degree of expertise.

So acquiring the name "Masters of the Toast."

 

William Knight smith is acredeted for being the first Toastmaster to wear the prestigious red  jacket in 1898.

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