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Cup

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, seeCup (disambiguation).

Rocococup with saucer, circa 1753, soft-paste porcelain with glaze and enamel,Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Acupis an open-top container used to holdliquidsfor pouring ordrinking.Although mainly used for drinking, it also can be used to storesolidsfor pouring (e.g., sugar, flour, grains, salt).[1][2]Cups may be made ofglass,metal,china,[3]pottery,wood,stone,bone,polystyrene,plastic,aluminum,or other materials. They are also usually fixed withstems,handles,or otheradornments,though abeakerhas no handle or stem. Cups are used for quenching thirst across a wide range of cultures andsocial classes.[4]Cups of different styles may be used for different types of liquids or other foodstuffs (e.g. teacups and measuring cups), in different situations (e.g. at water stations or inceremoniesandrituals), or fordecoration.[5][6]Theword "cup"is also used as a unit of capacity: the capacity of a "typical" cup, varying slightly from place to place.

History[edit]

Cups have almost certainly been used since before recorded history, and indeed, they have been found at archeological sites throughout the world. Prehistoric cups were sometimes fashioned from shells and hollowed out stones.[7]

In ancientMesopotamia,cups were made for a variety of purposes, possibly including the transportation and drinking ofalcoholic beverages.[8]

There is evidence that theRoman Empireused cups throughout Europe, with notable examples including silver cups in Wales and acolor-changing glass cupin ancientThrace.[9][10]InEngland,cups have been discovered which date back to several thousand years, including theRillaton Gold Cup,about 3,700 years old. Cups were used in theAmericasseveral centuries prior to the European arrivals.[11]Around the Gulf of Mexico, Native American societies used theHorse conchfor drinking cups, among other purposes.[12]

Cultural significance and use[edit]

Assorted plastic cups, commonly used for informal dining.

Since cups have been an integral part ofdiningsince time immemorial, they have become a valued part of human culture. The shape or image of a cup appears in various places in human cultures.

Monarchy[edit]

Historically,monarchshave been concerned about assassination via poisoning. To avoid this fate, they often used dedicated cups, withcup-bearersto guard them. A "divining cup" was supposed to be able to detect poison. In theBible,Josephinterpreted a dream forPharaoh'scup-bearer,[13]and a silver divining cup played a key role in his reconciliation withhis brothers.

Spa cupsare special cups that are used to drink mineral or thermal water directly from a spring, developed in north-west Bohemia during the 17th century[14]and are now part ofCzech folklore.

Religion[edit]

A two-handled Natla (נַטְלָה) cup used forritual washing in Judaism

In theChristianritual ofCommunion,adherents drink from a cup ofwine(or a wine substitute) to commemorate theLast SupperofJesus.[15]Achaliceis often used for this purpose.

Ancient Greek religious practices includedlibations.Therhytonwas one cup used for libations.

Cuisine[edit]

Themeasuring cup,an adaptation of a simple cup, is a standard tool in cooking that has been in use at least as far back asRoman times.Apart from serving as drinking vessels, cups can be used as an alternative tobowlsas a receptacle, especially, forsoup.Recipes have been published for cooking various dishes in cups in the microwave.[16]

Heraldry[edit]

Chalices are sometimes used in heraldry, especiallyecclesiastical heraldry.AKronkåsais a type of elaborate wooden cup which was used by theSwedish nobilityduring theRenaissance.

Child development[edit]

Drinking from a cup is a significant step on a baby's path to becoming atoddler;it is recommended that children switch frombottlesto cups between six months and one year of age.[17][18]Sippy cupsare typically used for this transition.

Sports[edit]

Many trophies take the form of a cup, often aloving cup.In sports, competitions themselves often take on the name of the cup-shaped trophy awarded.

Manytrophiestake the form of a decorated cup. In cases such as theFIFA World Cupand theStanley Cup,the competition itself may grow to take on the name of the trophy that is awarded to the winner. Owing to the common usage of cup-shaped trophies as prizes for the winners, a large number of national and international competitions are called "cups".[19]

Games[edit]

InTarotdivination, thesuit of cupsis associated with theelement of waterand is regarded as symbolizing emotion, intuition, and the soul.[20][21]Cards that feature cups are often associated with love, relationships, fears, and desires.[20][22]

Various cups have been designed so that drinking out of them without spilling is a challenge. These are calledpuzzle cups.

Thecup gameinvolves rhythmically striking plastic cups.[23]

Promotion[edit]

In the developed world, cups are often distributed forpromotional purposes.For example, a corporation might distribute cups with their logo at a trade show, or a city might hand out cups with slogans promoting recycling. There are companies that provide the service of printing slogans on cups.[24]

Types[edit]

Names for different types of cups vary regionally and may overlap. Anytransparentcup, regardless of actual composition, is called a "glass";therefore, while a cup made of paper is a" paper cup ", a transparent one for drinkingshotsis called a "shot glass", instead.

For hot beverages[edit]

Teacups onsaucers

While in theory, most cups are well suited to hold drinkable liquids, hot drinks liketeaare generally served in either insulated cups or porcelainteacups.

Disposable[edit]

Disposable cupsare intended to be used only once.[25]They are often used by fast-food restaurants and coffee shops to serve beverages. Institutions that provide drinking water, such as offices and hospitals, may also use disposable cups for sanitary reasons.

For alcoholic beverages[edit]

Some styles of cups are used primarily for alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, cocktail, and liquor. There are over a dozen distinct styles of cups for drinkingbeer,depending on the precise variety of beer. The idea that a certain beer should be served in a cup of a certain shape may have been promulgated more formarketingpurposes, but there very well may be some basis in fact behind it.[26]Wine glassesalso come in different shapes, depending on the color and style of wine that is intended to be served in them.

For measurement, suction and breasts[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Producer Chris."Radio 1 Movies Blog: Who Drank From This?".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  2. ^"Cup - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary".Merriam-webster. August 31, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  3. ^"Cup | Define Cup at Dictionary".Dictionary.reference.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2015.RetrievedMay 3,2019.
  4. ^Producer Chris."Radio 1 Movies Blog: Who Drank From This? The Answer".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  5. ^"What Are the Different Types of Coffee Cups? (with pictures)".Wisegeek. January 18, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  6. ^Rigby 2003:p. 573–574.
  7. ^Examples include a hollowed stone used to hold pigment for cave painting (seeHistory of technology), and mussel shells used to hold cosmetics. Relics of this style of cup have been found inEgyptianburial sites.
  8. ^"The Archaeology News Network: Gold cup headlines Mesopotamia exhibition".Archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot. April 24, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  9. ^"Roman Cup - Archaeology Magazine Archive".Archaeology.March–April 2004.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 28,2014.
  10. ^Merali, Zeeya (September 2013)."This 1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows that the Romans Were Nanotechnology Pioneers".Smithsonian.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 28,2014.
  11. ^Norton, Elizabeth (August 6, 2012)."Starbucks of Ancient America?".ScienceNOW.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 28,2014.
  12. ^Atlantic City Aquarium,Horse conchArchivedMay 15, 2014, at theWayback Machine.Accessed April 26, 2014
  13. ^"Genesis 40 ESV - Joseph Interprets Two Prisoners' Dreams".Bible Gateway.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  14. ^Kuchyňová, Zdeňka (May 2, 2008)."Lázeňský pohárek - typicky česká záležitost"(in Czech).Czech Radio.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 15,2017.
  15. ^"Are You Drinking of the Master's Cup?".Cgg.org.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  16. ^"Coffee Cup Quiche".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.May 1, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on January 5, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 9,2014.
  17. ^"Introducing a cup: 8 months and over".Heinz For Baby. Archived fromthe originalon February 19, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  18. ^Last reviewed: July 2012 (January 1, 2000)."How can I encourage my toddler to drink from a cup?".BabyCentre.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^"'win the cup' Google news search ".Google.Archivedfrom the original on May 8, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 3,2014.
  20. ^abBurger, Evelin; Johannes Fiebig (2004).Tarot Basics.New York: Sterling. p. 76.ISBN1402730403.
  21. ^Tarantino, P.C. (2007).Tarot for the New Aeon.Pebble Beach, CA: Alternative Insights. pp. 245–246.ISBN978-0976618409.
  22. ^Ziegler, Gerd (1988).Tarot: Mirror of the Soul: Handbook for the Aleister Crowley Tarot.York Beach, Maine: S. Weiser. p. 191.ISBN0877286833.
  23. ^"The Cup Game".Great Group Games.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  24. ^"Custom Promotional Cups, Branded Plastic and Paper Cups".Custom On It.Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  25. ^Ashby, Michael F. (September 23, 2016).Materials Selection in Mechanical Design.Butterworth-Heinemann.ISBN9780081006108.
  26. ^bilat_22-1.html http:// truebeer /Beer-Glass-Types_ep_22-1.bahog bilat_22-1.html.{{cite web}}:Check|url=value (help);Missing or empty|title=(help)[permanent dead link]
  27. ^McClenehan, Robert L.Some Scottish Quaichs.Illinois, 1955, p. 3.
  • Rigby, Stephen Henry (2003).A Companion to Britain in the Later Middle Ages(Illustrated ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.ISBN978-0-631-21785-5.

External links[edit]

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