# Who started the custom of  using cups as Trophies?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-started-the-custom-of-using-cups-as-trophies/93439>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 15, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-started-the-custom-of-using-cups-as-trophies/93439 "2001-11-15T02:39:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jack\_ss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@jack\_ss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_ss)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-started-the-custom-of-using-cups-as-trophies/93439/1 "2001-11-15T02:39:02Z")

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OK, this has been bugging me for a little while.  
You’ve got the Americas Cup, the World Cup, the Stanley Cup, the Rider Cup, all these trophies that loog like a giant goblet or a punchbowl on a pedestal. But **Why a cup?** Why not a plate or a spoon?

Many years ago did strapping warriors in a long forgotten kingdom arm-wrestle for a coffee mug? Does it relate back to the knights of the round table searching for the Holy Grail? Why a cup?

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**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-started-the-custom-of-using-cups-as-trophies/93439/2 "2001-11-15T02:48:51Z")

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I’m sure there is a direct connection to the fact that early awards were for atheletic prowess. What better thing to offer a triumphant contestant than a cup of wine to slake the thirst resulting from their exertions?

From there it is only a short hop to the heavily embellished lovers cups that have become the standard issue for such prizes.

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-started-the-custom-of-using-cups-as-trophies/93439/3 "2001-11-15T03:00:31Z")

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With all those cups mentioned in the first post, one could only add “C-cup, D-cup.” Talk about your trophies. 😃

Seriously, the word “trophy” only comes into English in the 1500’s. No mention that it might have to do with cups. So I would rule out the ancient Greek connection. While I realize this may be a leap, I don’t really care\*

\*Using the Handy rule.

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**Author:** ![jack\_ss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@jack\_ss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_ss)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-started-the-custom-of-using-cups-as-trophies/93439/4 "2001-11-15T03:01:50Z")

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That makes sense to give everyone a drink after the race and let the winner keep the cup, jug, ampulla, whatever.