History Beer Stein
A brief history of the question – motto "the flag bumper?
This theme goes back to civil war, U.S.. I've seen in many vessels and even in a mug of beer that recently acquired. Does anyone have any idea what it means, how it began, or when it first appeared? Norm
"Bumper" is a word with multiple meanings. One meaning, now in vogue, was a glass or cup filled to the brim of alcoholic beverages used in a toast with similar co-operation full glasses. Therefore, "Bumper of Allegiance" (or "Bumper to" … what one is elected) was a way of saying: "Here's a toast to the flag!" I do not know when or exactly how the word "bumper" came to be used in this way, but speculate it has to do with the happy habit (which remain to this day), ringing (or "hits") the crystals with one's peers, immediately prior to toast the health of any symbol or person. I am reasonably sure that the word "Bumpers" was used to invite such clink of glass, just as today we might say "Salud!" or "Bottoms Up!". Why believe this? Well, Patrick O'Brian, in his wonderfully well-researched and well written Aubrey-Maturin novels about life in the sea about 1800 AD, used the phrase "Behold to ____" frequently stops in its depiction of drunkenness at dinner parties. This explanation seems to fit with their search for the inscription on drinking vessels commemorating the Civil War.
Segment 1: German Beer Steins from Steincenter.com