Dictionary Definition
toastmaster n : the person who proposes toasts
and introduces speakers at a banquet
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Extensive Definition
- This article is about the role of host at a public speaking event. For other uses, see Toastmaster (disambiguation)
Toastmaster is a general term, prevalent in the
United
States in the middle 20th
century, referring to a person in charge of the proceedings of
a public
speaking event. The toastmaster is typically charged with
organization of the event, arranging the order of speakers,
introducing one or more of the speakers, and keeping the event on
schedule. Such meetings typically include civic events, service
organization meetings, and banquets of various purpose. In many
meetings, a toastmaster typically addresses the audience from
behind a dais or from a
podium. At stage
entertainment events, especially ones broadcast on live television, the toastmaster
often take the form of a master
of ceremonies, introducing the entertainment acts. The term has
fallen of out use to a large degree. The most famous person
associated with this role was George
Jessel, known in his lifetime as "Toastmaster General of the
United States" (as a parody of
Postmaster General of the United States).
In many service organizations and businesses, the
role of toastmaster was a permanently assigned role, but often
rotating among members. Toastmasters were largely expected to keep
the event from becoming boring, and a cottage industry arose in the
middle century to cater to the desire of businessmen and other
leaders to overcome the fear
of public speaking. Would-be toastmasters were typically
counseled to use light humor, and to have anecdotes and epigrams handily memorized.
Toastmasters
International is an organization dedicated to helping people in
public speaking and in fulfilling the role of toastmaster.
Such was the importance of a toastmaster
remaining sober in order to conduct events, he may have had a
special cup, called the toastmaster's glass which, although of the
same size and shape as others at the event, in fact was of much
lower capacity due to an almost solid interior. Several such
glasses are now displayed at the
Victoria and Albert Museum in London.