Lois & Clark Forums Forums General Discussion Off Topic "pop" vs. "soda"

I seem to remember we had a discussion about this, a few months ago, so when I saw this: http://www.popvssoda.com/countystats/total-county.html I just had to share <g> It's a graphical representation of which parts of the country tend to use pop, soda, or coke as a generic term for soft drinks.

PJ

Very interesting data!

Not to throw in any controversy, but I wonder what the results would be if they did the survey along racial lines. In my experience, more of my white counterparts use "soda", as opposed to my black and latino counterparts who use "pop".

I actually had a white friend ask me if I had a soda, and I brought her a box of Arm & Hammer! :rolleyes: Temporary brain freeze, I know, but that's where my mind goes when I hear that word.

I don't think it is a racial thing -- at least in Cleveland. White, black, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, etc. Everyone I know says 'pop' -- and that map thing says that over 80% of Cuyahoga county agrees with me (although i have no idea if it is a real scientific poll).

- Laura

Definitely would say it's not a racial thing IMO. I'm from Western NY originally, and we *always* said "pop," I don't think I hardly *ever* heard anyone say "soda." Now that I live in TN, I find that about half of the people say "pop" and half say "soda." My impression always was that "pop" was a northern thing. Fascinating though how different the little things can be throughout the country.

Fascinating indeed. I clicked on my state (Alabama), and what can I say? They've nailed down my county better than I can. It's all "Coke." Although, I will say, my dad's from Brooklyn and Queens (yeah, kind of a culture shock for him down here), and I don't think I've ever heard him say pop. Soda, yes, pop, no.

JD

They got Ulster County, NY down pat. Soda, all the way.

Growing up where I did, I remember I always thought "pop" sounded so childish whenever I would hear it. I used to think "soda" was much more sophisticated. lol. I'll bet all the "pop"-sayers thought we "soda"-folk were just being pretentious.

- Vicki

It's definitely "pop" in Minnesota and most of the upper Midwest as well, I'm pretty sure. The only people who say "soda" here are usually non-natives.

Of course, you could just go with Coke or Pepsi.

Hm, too bad this doesn't extend into Canada! I always thought that 'pop' was more of a Canadian thing and 'soda' was American, but I guess not! My cousin from Boonton, NJ has always used soda as far as I could remember, and so do my relatives from...somewhere in New York, I can't remember. That's my 2c! But up here, in Toronto, we all (or at least all the people I know ) use 'pop'!

Mirage

Here in Winnipeg, they just built the new MTS Centre (to replace our old Winnipeg Arena). They have sign advertising drinks - "soda pop" and "pop". People are like WHAT! That is soooo American. Soft drink is used here and every CDN I know, not just in WPG, uses that term.

It's like the whole sneaker/runner thing...

Canadians in Manitoba say 'soft drink'? Whoa! That's what I've always called it, but thought it was a UK/Euro thing only - any Canadians we've encountered in Ontario say 'pop'. Fascinating!


Wendy

Well --
My parents always said "soft drinks" (they were from Saskatchewan)
but my siblings and I all say pop here in Toronto...
And now, lately I noticed that my own kids say "soda" a lot more often than they say "pop". Perhaps its also an age thing.

Allie

I thought 'soft drink' was the official name.

As in, Q: What do you call soft drinks where you live? A: We say 'pop' (or 'soda', or whatever).

Also, on menus they are usually listed as Soft Drinks.

At least where I grew up, it was perfectly acceptable to call them soft drinks, although it was more common to just say soda.

- Vicki

When my cousin came back to Oregon after living in New England & Puerto Rico for 5 years, she had adopted the term "soda" and would correct me whenever I said "pop" so often that I ALWAYS say "soda" now. And it looks like I'm the only one in this state who does, well according to that map! No wonder I get weird looks sometimes.

I'm also from TN, but live in Chattanooga near the GA line. I find that a lot of older people say "pop", but all of my friends say "soda" or "Coke". Now, if you go to the downtown restaurants, you'll hear "Do ya'll want Coke? Ok, what kind?" -like Coke means soft drink or something. I think that's a southern thing, however.

Sarah

Maybe they do really mean what "kind of coke?"
There's what? 20 different varieties now?
Regular, Cherry, Vanilla, Diet, Diet Vanilla, Diet lemon...

I always laugh when I hear people over generalise brand names. For instance, all lemonade is 'Sprite'.

Down here we use 'Soft Drink' too, the only people who use 'soda' or 'pop' are tourists.