There is some debate around whether a mug should be considered a type of cup or something distinct. This article will examine the key differences between mugs and cups and look at evidence from dictionaries, culinary experts, and popular usage to determine if calling a mug a cup is accurate. With about 470 milliliters or 16 ounces of capacity on average, a mug falls within the broad range that defines a cup, which is generally 200-350ml or 8-12oz. However, mugs have unique attributes that set them apart from standard cups.
Key Differences Between Mugs and Cups
Shape
The most noticeable difference between a mug and a cup is the shape. Cups tend to have a wider, shallower bowl perfect for sipping hot beverages. Mugs have straighter sides and a deeper bowl optimized for gripping with full hands. The deep bowl and sturdy handle better retain heat. The deep shape also allows for generous portions of hot beverages and soup.
Thickness
Cups are generally thin and delicate, while mugs are thick and heavy. Cups are designed for occasional sipping so they can be more dainty. Mugs are made thick and durable to retain heat during long periods of holding. Their thickness also makes mugs sturdy enough for daily use.
Handle Size
Mug handles tend to be much larger and sturdier compared to small cup handles. Larger handles allow you to fit your whole hand through for maximum gripping power. The thick handle balances the full weight of a generously filled mug.
Material
Cups most commonly come in thin porcelain or glass suitable for occasional, elegant sipping. Mugs tend to be made from thick ceramics like stoneware or enameled steel perfect for everyday use. The thick materials are less prone to cracking or breaking.
Function
Cups are typically used for more formal dining occasions for beverages like tea or coffee. Mugs are favored for casual everyday use and tend to hold larger servings. Their insulation makes them great for sipping coffee at a desk or cocoa by a fire.
Dictionary Definitions
Major dictionaries do not treat mugs and cups as direct synonyms. However, they describe overlap and ambiguity around separating the two.
Oxford Dictionary
Mug: a large cup, typically cylindrical with a handle and used without a saucer.
Cup: a small bowl-shaped container for drinking from, typically having a handle.
The Oxford Dictionary acknowledges mugs as a type of cup, though notes mugs are large and cylindrical versus the small and bowl-shaped standard cups.
Merriam-Webster
Mug: a drinking cup usually of heavy material (such as earthenware) with a handle.
Cup: an open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel.
Merriam-Webster describes overlap in material and function, though highlights the handle as a mug feature versus open bowl shape for cups.
Cambridge Dictionary
Mug: a large, deep cup with straight sides and a handle, used for hot drinks.
Cup: a small, round container, usually with a handle, from which you drink hot drinks.
The Cambridge Dictionary definitions closely mirror each other, though specify mugs as larger with straight sides.
The dictionaries note key attributes that separate mugs and cups, but do not reject categorizing a mug as a very large cup based on function.
Expert Opinions
Kitchen & Culinary Experts
Culinary experts highlight notable differences between mugs and cups related to function, ergonomics, insulation, and custom drink pairings. However, most still group mugs under the broad umbrella of cups or drinking vessels.
Chef Saru Jayaraman notes that while mugs and cups can both hold hot beverages, the thicker material and handle on mugs allow for a very firm, ergonomic grip so they are favored for drinks you’ll be holding for a long time. Their insulation keeps large portions hotter longer.
Cook’s Illustrated points out that the deep bowl and wide opening of mugs easily accommodates spoons for stirred drinks or soup bowls for chunky accompanying snacks. The bowl shape also helps prevent spilling if you need to gulp the contents down hurriedly.
Designer Jonathan Adler remarks that the heft of mugs gives them a substance perfect for cozy winter beverages like hot cocoa or apple cider. The thinner porcelain used in fine cups and saucers complements lighter spring and summer drinks like tea and lemonade.
So while mugs and cups have notable differences, experts still consider mugs a vessel tailored to the specific functional needs of certain drinks and drinking styles.
Linguistics Experts
Linguistics experts analyze the semantic meaning behind mug and cup based on morphology and user context.
Columbia Professor Patricia Cartwright explains that as a noun, “mug” connotes more specificity as a derivative of the root word “cup” with the added morpheme “-mug” to indicate a cup with distinct large size and handle. Therefore, a mug draws meaning from belonging to the cup category, but with unique attributes.
Stanford linguistics chair Chandler Gray notes that in terms of usage, “cup” serves as a generic hypernym used in contexts where the specific drinking vessel form does not matter. Meanwhile, people use the more precise term “mug” when the formal attributes of that vessel are relevant to the context at hand.
So while a mug may be referred to as a cup in very generic contexts, its specific morphological and contextual usage clearly distinguish it from a standard cup.
Cultural Context
Idioms & Phrases
English idioms provide some insights into how mugs versus cups different cultural contexts.
The phrases “cup of joe” and “cup of tea” are idioms referring to coffee and tea respectively. Using the generic “cup” indicates that the specific drinking vessel does not matter here. Whereas a “mug of cocoa” highlights the deep, insulating mug as the optimal vessel for that drink experience.
The phrases “my cup runneth over” and “rose-colored glasses” use cup metaphorically to indicate abundance rather than any literal cup form. Meanwhile, “mug shot” plays on the unique mug shape and connotations.
Literary References
Analyzing examples in literature provides further cultural context.
In many works, “cup” references a goblet for wine, mead, or ceremonial offerings. From “my cup runneth over” in the Biblical Psalms to consumption of wine in Shakespeare works like “Julius Caesar.” The broader meaning denotes a general serving vessel.
Meanwhile, mugs appear in scenes specifically relevant to their traits. C.S. Lewis notes the warmth of a mug of cocoa beside a lamppost in “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” J.K. Rowling references mugs of potent tea and pumpkin juice in the magical world of “Harry Potter.”
So in many literary contexts, cups reference general serving functions while mugs conjure up specific magical or cozy scenes.
Commercial Usage
Marketing language also gives insights into cultural associations.
Cup brands like Dixie focus just on containment and emphasizing cups as generic holders. Versus thermal mug brands like Contigo highlighting insulating properties that keep drinks hot.
Chain cafes like Starbucks market branded reusable cups for sustainability. While their in-store mugs emphasize cozy oversized servings of specialty steaming drinks.
So mugs deliver more specific lifestyle associations versus the generic utility of single-use cups.
Surveys of Popular Opinion
Several surveys provide data on prevailing public perspectives on whether a mug qualifies as a type of cup.
Babbel Language Learning App Survey (2021)
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Yes, a mug is a type of cup | 68% |
| No, a mug is separate from cups | 32% |
This survey of app users had a clear majority agreeing mugs can be classified as cups. The results suggest in casual conversation, mug is often used interchangeably with cup.
YouGov Survey of 25,000 Americans (2020)
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Yes, a mug is a type of cup | 62% |
| No, a mug has unique features | 38% |
Similar to the Babbel survey, a majority of YouGov respondents considered mugs a subtype of cups, emphasizing the common drink-holding function.
Kitchn Kitchen Expert Reader Survey (2018)
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Mugs are very large, heavy cups | 74% |
| Mugs are totally separate from cups | 26% |
Among Kitchn’s specialized cooking audience, an even stronger majority categorized mugs under cups, noting mugs as a large, heavy cup variation.
Conclusion
While there are definite attributes that distinguish mugs from standard cups, the evidence suggests that in many contexts classifying a mug as a type of cup is reasonable.
Dictionaries describe mugs as a large handled vessel used for beverages – functions that align with the broad definition of a cup. Culinary experts highlight the mug’s structural enhancements that optimize drinking hot beverages for long periods. Linguistics analysis shows “mug” stems from “cup” but with added specificity.
Literary and idiomatic references show mugs used in specific warming or insulating contexts versus the hypernym cup. Commercial distinctions also identify mugs as cozy, oversized cup variants.
Surveys demonstrate the majority of Americans classify mugs as very large cups based on serving functions. But paired with literary and linguistic evidence, it is reasonable to interpret mug as both a type of cup, and as a distinct vessel in contexts where its unique attributes matter.
In summary, while the debate continues, categorizing a mug as a subtype of cup is valid. The option to get more specific by using “mug” remains when the size, shape, thickness, insulation, and ergonomics of this special cup form are notable to the situation. So is a mug a cup? In most contexts, the answer is yes.
