Offending the Pharaoh

Genesis 40:1-3 - Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.

Maybe you didn't have to try hard to offend a Pharaoh who had absolute power. But what can a cupbearer and a baker do to get themselves thrown into prison? Unless they were part of a plot to overthrow the Pharaoh, they'd have to screw up pretty badly to warrant such a punishment, wouldn't they?

If I remember correctly, the cupbearer was to taste drinks before the Pharaoh in case they had been poisoned -- a dangerous job, if your boss had crafty enemies. Did this cupbearer refuse to take a sip? Did he spill some on the Pharaoh's best robes? Or on the table? Or anywhere in Pharaoh's presence? Did he make some snide remark in earshot of the Pharaoh? Or in earshot of one of his enemies? Did he do something unseemly elsewhere that got back to the Pharaoh and upset and offended him? With such a prominent job, wouldn't you normally play it safe, especially considering the built-in hazards?

Many of the same things could be asked about the baker. However, he may have had the added hazard of trying to create new taste treats for the Pharaoh. I suppose if one of them flopped or displeased the Pharaoh or one of his mealtime guests, the Pharaoh may have been offended enough to want to try someone new in that position. (Pity the poor replacement.)