Strange Maps has a map showing what term the various regions of the U.S. tend to use to refer to soft drinks: pop, soda, coke, or other. As it turns out, for the most part, Blue States say “soda;” Red States say “coke;” and Swing States say “pop.” Hell, compared to some of the demographics the pundits have been reaching for in talking about the political horse race, this makes as much sense as anything else.
“How can Obama reach out to the crucial ‘pop’ demographic if he’s drinking orange juice?!?!”
Interesting that Central Indiana is the only place North of the Mason/Dixon line that uses Coke…….Not hard to believe that they refer to Indiana as the “southern” non-southern state in the country……..
It would be interesting to see the same map in different decades to see how the terms have migrated. I grew up in Michigan drinking “pop.” When I moved to Seattle (in the late ’70’s) they were all “soda” people. I started saying “soda pop” and still use that term today.
The soda-pop map is interesting as are all graphic coded maps of this type… Not only does soda and pop divide the north from the south( both southern Illinois and Indiana are similarly divided) it divides PA in two, making western PA part of the northern midwest and eastern PA part of the East Coast.
It’s the first time I understood that ‘coke’ was a generic term rather than a brand name. Maybe that’s because Coca Cola headquarters are in Atlanta.
Also of note is that Wisconsin is divided east-west,by soda-pop line.
My mom is from Minnesota, and to her, all carbonated beverages are “cokes.” That doesn’t fit with the map. But, her mom is from Atlanta. I’ve always wondered where my family’s use of the generic “coke” came from, and I guess that explains it. It’s all grandma’s fault!
I’m reasonably sure Southern use of “coke” for soft drinks is a function of Coke’s location in Atlanta.
I remember going to Texas, and listening to a man at the next table order.
Waitress: What’ll you have to drink?
Man: I’ll have a Coke.
Waitress: What kind?
Man: 7-Up
I was incredulous at “What kind?” It was helpful, though, when it was my turn to order!
You know, I really get around Central Indiana, and I can’t think of a single restaurant that I’ve ever heard people speaking of “Cokes” in a generic fashion. I’d love to see that one pin-pointed a bit better.
Interesting that the St. Louis area is a ‘soda’ haven. I always thought of the term as a Northeastern/New York thing.
I love maps.
A friend in south-central Nebraska was disappointed that his county didn’t have results. I told him it was because the reseachers didn’t want to add the category of sodie-pop. For some reason, he wasn’t amused.
wl3048, you did notice that it was the southern arc around Marion County. Plenty of southern transplants living around there.
When I taught down in Houston during the 80’s I took a lot of flack because I drank “pop.” To them that was what the principal gave the kids when they misbehaved – a pop.
I’ve heard “sodie” here in Perry County quite a bit.
Growing up in Richmond, I remember asking waitresses “What kind of Ckoe do you have?” And then when visiting relatives in South Bend always hearing “pop.”
As I started helping my dad in the moving business during summer breaks in college, I got stuck on the “pop” phrase-mostly because it pissed off people on the east coast;-)
what about soda water? im from houston and we use the term coke but i have heard old timers use the term soda water.