Toastmaster is a general term, prevalent in the United States in the mid-20th century, referring to a person in charge of the proceedings of a public speaking event.
[3] William Kingsmith was the first to wear the red coat now associated with the London Society of Toastmasters, as he wanted to be distinguished from waitstaff and footmen.
He was the public announcer at the 1908 London Olympic games,[4] and presided over court functions at St. James's Palace, ceremonies at the House of Commons and Royal Albert Hall.
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.