Tumbler (glass) facts for kids

An oversized tumbler for serving chilled beverages, while reducing the need to frequently refill the glass.

A tumbler is a type of cup or glass used for drinking. It usually has a flat bottom and is made from materials like plastic, glass, or stainless steel. Tumblers are popular because they are sturdy and can hold many different kinds of drinks.

What's in a Name? The Story of "Tumbler"

Have you ever wondered why these cups are called "tumblers"? There are a few interesting ideas about where the name came from.

Early Tumblers: A Wobbly Start

One idea is that the very first tumblers had a special shape. Their bottoms might have been pointed or rounded. This meant you couldn't set them down without them tipping over or "tumbling"! You had to drink everything in one go.

Self-Righting Cups

Another theory suggests that some old tumblers had heavy bottoms. If you accidentally knocked one over, the heavy base would make it stand upright again, almost like a toy that always lands on its feet. This "tumbling" and then righting itself could be how it got its name.

Different Kinds of Tumblers

Tumblers come in many shapes and sizes, each designed for different drinks. Here are some common types you might see:

Tall Tumblers for Refreshing Drinks

• Collins glass: This is a tall, narrow glass. It's great for serving long, cool drinks like soda with ice, lemonade, or iced tea.
• Highball glass: Similar to a Collins glass, the highball is also tall. It's perfect for mixed drinks, like juice and sparkling water.
• Iced tea glass: As the name suggests, this glass is designed to hold a generous amount of iced tea.

Shorter Tumblers for Special Sips

• Dizzy Cocktail glass: This glass has a wide, shallow top. It's like a regular cocktail glass but without the stem. It's often used for drinks that don't need a lot of ice.
• Juice glass: These are smaller glasses, just the right size for a serving of fruit juice or vegetable juice.
• Old fashioned glass: This shorter, wider glass is often called a "rocks glass." It's used for drinks served "on the rocks," which means with ice cubes.
• Shot glass: This is a very small, thick-walled glass. It's designed for small amounts of drinks.

Unique Tumblers from Around the World

• Table glass (granyonyi stakan): This special glass is common in Russia. It's known for being very strong and thick. It often has many flat sides, or "facets," making it easy to hold.

• Water glass: This is a basic, everyday tumbler used for drinking water.

• Whiskey tumbler: This is a small, thin glass, traditionally used for small servings of drinks.