What Are Those Lines On Red Plastic Cups Used In Parties? Find Out

Have you ever found yourself at a party, clutching a red Solo cup and pondering the age-old question: What do those mysterious lines actually mean? Well, fear not, because, after years of speculation, the creators of the iconic red plastic cup have finally spilled the beans on the true purpose of those enigmatic markings.

The red Solo Cup is widely regarded as the ultimate winner when it comes to party drinkware, as per popular opinion. Whether it’s filled with a fizzy soda, a refreshing lemonade or a concoction of your favourite spirits, these cups are must-haves in the party. But what about those lines? The subject of countless rumours and speculations, these markings have long been associated with everything from perfect beer pong pours to ideal spirit and mixer ratios.

The rumours have often revolved around the notion that the cups are tailored for the over-21 crowd, but the truth is far more entertaining. Solo, the manufacturer of these iconic cups, decided to put an end to the speculation once and for all by addressing the mystery on their website.

Describing the question of the lines as one of the greatest mysteries of our time, Solo revealed that when the red cups first hit the scene in the 1970s, they did indeed have three lines on them. These lines loosely corresponded to 1, 5 and 12 ounces of liquid when poured into the cup, leading some to associate them with alcohol measurements. Rumours swirled that the 1oz line was perfect for liquor, the 5oz line for a serving of wine and the 12oz line for beer.

However, Solo made it clear that these lines were not specifically designed for measuring alcohol. “These lines mean something different for everyone!” the website exclaims. “For some, it means a responsible pour at their next tailgate. For others, it means a more secure grip as they man the grill at the BBQ. And for our littler fans, it means they can stack and unstack our cups into a pyramid without them sticking together.”

Fast forward to the present day, and Solo has evolved its design to feature no lines at all. But fear not, party enthusiasts; the cups still symbolise something special. According to Solo, “Whether it’s lines, grips or a square base, one thing our cup always means is good times are on the horizon.”