stirrup cup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “stirrup cup” mean?
A drink (usually alcoholic) offered to a person on horseback who is about to depart.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drink (usually alcoholic) offered to a person on horseback who is about to depart.
Any farewell drink; a drink taken at the moment of leaving. Historically, it refers to the practice of offering a guest a final drink while they are in the saddle, with their foot in the stirrup, ready to ride away.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is recognized in both varieties but is strongly associated with British country and hunting traditions. In American English, its use is almost exclusively historical or in conscious imitation of British tradition.
Connotations
UK: Strong connotations of fox hunting, country estates, and traditional aristocracy. US: Connotes antiquated custom, historical reenactment, or affectation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage for both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK historical novels or descriptions of country life.
Grammar
How to Use “stirrup cup” in a Sentence
[Subject] offered [Recipient] a stirrup cup.[Recipient] took a stirrup cup before departing.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or cultural studies discussing 18th/19th century social customs.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
May appear in catalogs of antique silverware or equestrian history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stirrup cup”
- Using it to mean any drink consumed near a horse.
- Using it to refer to a cup attached to a saddle (a 'saddle cup').
- Thinking it is a common modern idiom.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, yes, it often referred to a specific cup or vessel, often made of silver, used for this purpose. The term now refers more to the drink and the ritual than the object itself.
Figuratively, yes. It can be used humorously or poetically for any 'one for the road' drink, but this is a modern, extended use. Its core meaning requires the context of horseback departure.
It is exceptionally rare in everyday speech. It is primarily used in historical fiction, descriptions of traditional hunting communities, or by enthusiasts of historical reenactment.
Commonly a fortified wine like port or sherry, or a spirit like brandy or whisky—something warming and strengthening for the journey ahead.
A drink (usually alcoholic) offered to a person on horseback who is about to depart.
Stirrup cup is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Stirrup cup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪr.əp ˌkʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪr.əp ˌkʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rider with their foot in the STIRRUP, holding a CUP for a final drink before galloping away.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPARTURE IS A RITUALIZED DRINKING MOMENT. THE THRESHOLD OF A JOURNEY IS A PLACE FOR A TOAST.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these scenarios would the term 'stirrup cup' be most accurately used?