What is this SALAMANDER thingee the beer drinkers are saying?

The Salamander was an act in the Funs-A-Popping Talent Show that involved lots of yelling of the word Salamander and rubbing of beer mugs on the floor.

What the Hey....?

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Ever since that rousing song I've been hearing, "Just what is this Salamander?"

"...and what does it mean?"

In short it's a beer toast.

And if you didn't already know, the skit was from The Student Prince with Mario Lanza as the lead roll. He was singing, in a tavern with his buddies, to the lovely bar maid.

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In the following, the terms used are a mix of German and Latin.

The translations are how we might expect to hear them in modern English.

The word “salamander,” in this case, is derived from the term

“Sauft alle mit einander” (All drink together).

However, the word Sauft means more than just drink;

it is one of those over the top words meaning “get sloshed” or “guzzle.”
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To have a Rubbing of the Salamander (”einem einen Salamander reiben”)

proposed to you is evidently considered a great honor.
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As the leader, or toast giver, proposes to honor a guest or special person,

all stand and lift their steins at the words of the leader,

“Ad exercitium salamandris praeparatiestisne?”

(Are you prepared to do the salamander?)

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The drinkers say in unison, “Sumus” (we are).

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The leader further orders, “Salamandes inciptur, eins, zwei, drei,” (Begin the salamander, one, two, three) and each drinker rubs his stein on the table three times.

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The leader further instructs them with,

“Bitte eins, zwei, drei” (Drink up, one, two, three)

and all steins are emptied in unison to the count one, two, three.

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They are then rattled on the table till the leader once again says,

“Eins, zwei…” (one, two…) and all steins are held still

until the leader says,”Drei!” (three)

whereupon all bang their steins on the table.
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A variation of this is the “Trauersalamander.”

All done as before, except the glasses are “rubbed” in the air and they are stopped before striking the table.

A silent, solemn ceremony honoring a departed brother.

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So now you know...
Prost