The Great Pop vs. Soda Controversy: An Interactive Study
April 18, 2001 1:23 AM Subscribe
The Great Pop vs. Soda Controversy: An Interactive Study Since the development of carbonated beverage in 1886, one of linguistic geography's most important and least investigated phenomena has been the sharp regional divisions in the use of the terms "pop" and "soda."
My Grandmother called them all "sodie pops", I think that covers it.
posted by bjgeiger at 1:42 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by bjgeiger at 1:42 AM on April 18, 2001
I spent two years trying to mindwipe my roomate (she was from Iowa) that "pop" was wrong and soda was the God-given name (mid-atlantic states rule!)
posted by owillis at 1:43 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by owillis at 1:43 AM on April 18, 2001
It don't matter. I've ingested so much soda pop, twinkies, slim jims, and monkey farts (7-11 burritos) that I'm already embalmed and will last forever. Let's save this argument till everybody else is nuked and all we have to eat are 30 kg cockaroaches...
posted by roboto at 2:08 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by roboto at 2:08 AM on April 18, 2001
Zachsmind said: I used to go to the drive-thru and ask for a Coke
Are you from Texas? I am and I have always referred to a generic carbonated drink as a coke.
If I want a cola of any type, I order a coke. If I want a specific soda (Dr. Pepper, etc.), I order it by name. But if I am talking with friends about going to get a carbonated soft drink, I always say, "I'm thirsty, how about a coke?"
Always threw my cousins from Iowa (purely 'pop' peeps) for a real loop.
posted by syzygy at 2:38 AM on April 18, 2001
Are you from Texas? I am and I have always referred to a generic carbonated drink as a coke.
If I want a cola of any type, I order a coke. If I want a specific soda (Dr. Pepper, etc.), I order it by name. But if I am talking with friends about going to get a carbonated soft drink, I always say, "I'm thirsty, how about a coke?"
Always threw my cousins from Iowa (purely 'pop' peeps) for a real loop.
posted by syzygy at 2:38 AM on April 18, 2001
It doesn't look like they have a big enough sample from some states to be very scientific. And people on the Web aren't necessarily a representative sample - but I nit-pick, it's a cool idea.
I know here in Texas and in Oklahoma, it's very common for people to refer to any type of soft drink as "coke." I've had friends who go into a restaurant and ask "what kinds of coke do you all have?" and the person working will say "Coke, 7-Up, Dr. Pepper . . ." You know, as a generic term like Kleenex™. I think soda is the more common term here. It seems somewhat generational, with older people (50+) sometimes saying pop or "sodie" pop. I spent my youth in St. Louis, firmly in the sodahh camp (that's supposed to represent the midwestern accent.)
My girlfriend, a cola connoisseur, always says Coke (big "C"), meaning Coke™.
posted by sixdifferentways at 3:16 AM on April 18, 2001
I know here in Texas and in Oklahoma, it's very common for people to refer to any type of soft drink as "coke." I've had friends who go into a restaurant and ask "what kinds of coke do you all have?" and the person working will say "Coke, 7-Up, Dr. Pepper . . ." You know, as a generic term like Kleenex™. I think soda is the more common term here. It seems somewhat generational, with older people (50+) sometimes saying pop or "sodie" pop. I spent my youth in St. Louis, firmly in the sodahh camp (that's supposed to represent the midwestern accent.)
My girlfriend, a cola connoisseur, always says Coke (big "C"), meaning Coke™.
posted by sixdifferentways at 3:16 AM on April 18, 2001
Yes I am from Texas, and perhaps that's what I said as a youth. It's difficult to remember. I mean I just didn't think about it. Nowadays I just don't drink that stuff, so if I had to say the word I'm not sure which one I'd use without thinking. I mean now I'm self-conscious about it, so the principle of indeterminacy is affecting the outcome.
posted by ZachsMind at 3:21 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by ZachsMind at 3:21 AM on April 18, 2001
Here in Arkansas, we call all of it Coke. I do not remember ever hearing one of my friends say pop or soda. If we are at a Razorback football game and someone gets up to get food, they ask if anyone wants a coke or a hot dog.
posted by bargle at 3:28 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by bargle at 3:28 AM on April 18, 2001
Here in Australia we call them soft drinks, Coke being the most common form of soft drink. We also always order a 'rum and Coke', never a 'rum and Pepsi'.
posted by Jase_B at 3:52 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by Jase_B at 3:52 AM on April 18, 2001
Nobody ever actually orders Pepsi do they?
It's usually because the place has signed up to a Pepsi exclusivity arrangement.
"Sorry we don't have Coke, is Pepsi alright?". To which the answer is generally a reluctant "Well...okay".
How much do these guys actually get for signing up that stuff?
posted by lagado at 4:22 AM on April 18, 2001
It's usually because the place has signed up to a Pepsi exclusivity arrangement.
"Sorry we don't have Coke, is Pepsi alright?". To which the answer is generally a reluctant "Well...okay".
How much do these guys actually get for signing up that stuff?
posted by lagado at 4:22 AM on April 18, 2001
It's not soda or pop, it's fizzy. The use is "I'll have some fizzy drink please," or "I'll have some fizzy cola please". You (the universal 'you') walk up to a sexy lass and ask for some fizzy cola drink please. It's what you do.
posted by holloway at 4:59 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by holloway at 4:59 AM on April 18, 2001
Pepsi, pepper
Derogatory terms for a Quebecer, used probably because of the great popularity of Pepsi Cola in that province. Evidently Pepsi was much cheaper than Coke at one point, and the Quebecers never stopped drinking it.
I found that at An American's Guide to Canada. I also found out that in Canada:
Mountain Dew has no caffeine and Coke and Pepsi use real sugar instead of corn syrup.
I'm not sure if those are true or not but I do know that the Pepsi term is used (not much anymore though).
posted by the_ill_gino at 5:06 AM on April 18, 2001
Derogatory terms for a Quebecer, used probably because of the great popularity of Pepsi Cola in that province. Evidently Pepsi was much cheaper than Coke at one point, and the Quebecers never stopped drinking it.
I found that at An American's Guide to Canada. I also found out that in Canada:
Mountain Dew has no caffeine and Coke and Pepsi use real sugar instead of corn syrup.
I'm not sure if those are true or not but I do know that the Pepsi term is used (not much anymore though).
posted by the_ill_gino at 5:06 AM on April 18, 2001
Pepsi is actually better than Coke, especially if it's canned. Coke is really bitter and much more carbonated, whereas Pepsi is a bit sweeter.
Anyway, soda is bad for you anyway, I drink Narzan or Esentuki, strangley the stuff is kinda cheap being imported from where I used to live. It's tapped from streams that come from the mountains, then it's bottled. Most people find Narzan not too different from a Sant Peligrino or such while they kinda hte Esentuki because it's all salty. Tastes, works magic on stomach pains.
posted by tiaka at 5:43 AM on April 18, 2001
Anyway, soda is bad for you anyway, I drink Narzan or Esentuki, strangley the stuff is kinda cheap being imported from where I used to live. It's tapped from streams that come from the mountains, then it's bottled. Most people find Narzan not too different from a Sant Peligrino or such while they kinda hte Esentuki because it's all salty. Tastes, works magic on stomach pains.
posted by tiaka at 5:43 AM on April 18, 2001
In most Southern states (and especially here in Atlanta) "Coke" is used interchangeably with "soda" or "pop."
When my baby brother moved to New York, the first time I visited him and his new Yankee friends, he has if I wanted a "soder."
"A what?" I asked.
"A soda," he repeated.
"Oh!" I cried. "You mean a CO-COALER!" I screamed with my best Southern drawl.
He cringed. His friends laughed. I think he's almost ready to start speaking to me again.
posted by darren at 5:44 AM on April 18, 2001
When my baby brother moved to New York, the first time I visited him and his new Yankee friends, he has if I wanted a "soder."
"A what?" I asked.
"A soda," he repeated.
"Oh!" I cried. "You mean a CO-COALER!" I screamed with my best Southern drawl.
He cringed. His friends laughed. I think he's almost ready to start speaking to me again.
posted by darren at 5:44 AM on April 18, 2001
What a silly arguement.
Everyone knows its called "tonic"
posted by bondcliff at 6:22 AM on April 18, 2001
Everyone knows its called "tonic"
posted by bondcliff at 6:22 AM on April 18, 2001
The funny thing is... everyone here (West Michigan) says "pop," but if you say "soda," we'd know what you meant. Worst-case we might laugh at you, especially if you're from Ann Arbor, which pretends to be East Coast. But many people I know on the east coast, if you say pop, they'll just look at you with this sort of blank stare, like "What the hell is that?" they honestly don't know.
posted by dagnyscott at 6:43 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by dagnyscott at 6:43 AM on April 18, 2001
Ah, tonic. Yes, friends, here in the home of the Bean and the Cod, "soda" is carbonated water, "pop" is your progenitor, and "tonic" is that sweet fizzy beverage you get from the vending machine.
Well....that was truer years ago than it is today, what with so many transplants living here, but you can always tell a true Massachusetts native by their use of certain key words. Not only do they say "tonic", what the rest of the world calls a "milkshake" is called a "frappe", convenience stores are called "spas", and the dry cleaner is called "the cleanser"
posted by briank at 6:43 AM on April 18, 2001
Well....that was truer years ago than it is today, what with so many transplants living here, but you can always tell a true Massachusetts native by their use of certain key words. Not only do they say "tonic", what the rest of the world calls a "milkshake" is called a "frappe", convenience stores are called "spas", and the dry cleaner is called "the cleanser"
posted by briank at 6:43 AM on April 18, 2001
Pepsi is actually better than Coke, especially if it's canned. Coke is really bitter and much more carbonated, whereas Pepsi is a bit sweeter.
Hmm, I think that's purely a matter of taste. Pepsi is always a last resort for me.
As for calling everything coke, as someone else said, that's a southern thing, not just texas.
posted by justgary at 6:49 AM on April 18, 2001
Hmm, I think that's purely a matter of taste. Pepsi is always a last resort for me.
As for calling everything coke, as someone else said, that's a southern thing, not just texas.
posted by justgary at 6:49 AM on April 18, 2001
As a Mid-Atlantic (Delaware) transplant to the South (Atlanta), I say "soda" and catch lots of shit for it. But they can all bite me.
posted by jennyb at 6:52 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by jennyb at 6:52 AM on April 18, 2001
Pepsi is actually better than Coke, especially if it's canned. Coke is really bitter and much more carbonated, whereas Pepsi is a bit sweeter.
And how exactly is that a good thing?
I hate corn syrup.
posted by gleemax at 7:03 AM on April 18, 2001
And how exactly is that a good thing?
I hate corn syrup.
posted by gleemax at 7:03 AM on April 18, 2001
I'm one of those weirdos who actually prefers Pepsi. (Actually, I prefer Pepsi One, the One True Diet Soft Drink.) I don't prefer it so much I will refuse a Coke in a restaurant, or seek out restaurants that serve Pepsi -- but if I'm buying, I'll buy Pepsi unless the Coke's seriously on sale and the Pepsi's not.
There's no caffeine in Mountain Dew in Canada? Isn't that like against the laws of nature or something?
posted by kindall at 7:19 AM on April 18, 2001
There's no caffeine in Mountain Dew in Canada? Isn't that like against the laws of nature or something?
posted by kindall at 7:19 AM on April 18, 2001
Here's a goofy data point: I say 'soda'. But every other member of my immediate family (mom, dad, and sister) says 'pop'. It's not like I was separated from them for years while growing up, either.
Maybe it's genetically programed, and I was switched at birth. That would explain a lot, come to think of it...
posted by darukaru at 7:27 AM on April 18, 2001
Maybe it's genetically programed, and I was switched at birth. That would explain a lot, come to think of it...
posted by darukaru at 7:27 AM on April 18, 2001
Having made the difficult transition from soda (northeast) to pop (midwest), I was completely thrown not long ago by having to do business in Atlanta frequently, where one is asked by waitresses, "Ya'll wan' a cocacola?" with a long, southern-style drawl stress on the third syllable (it's impossible to describe this, now that I'm trying to...). Anyway, I'd been down there three or four times before I realized that I was being asked - especially since the next question if you respond affirmatively is, "What flavah?"
posted by m.polo at 7:31 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by m.polo at 7:31 AM on April 18, 2001
kindall, you're a weirdo! (I'm one of those people who can't stand Pepsi at ALL and would rather walk down the street, buy a Coke and bring it back to where I'm eating than drink the stuff. I actually haven't eaten at Pizza Hut in about a decade because they serve Pepsi exclusively.)
posted by lia at 7:34 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by lia at 7:34 AM on April 18, 2001
One of the many, many reasons to avoid Pizza Hut.
They put cheese inside the crust? Surely that's the work of the devil!
posted by lagado at 7:46 AM on April 18, 2001
They put cheese inside the crust? Surely that's the work of the devil!
posted by lagado at 7:46 AM on April 18, 2001
I say pop, and I say it MANY times a day. There is a hollow spot in my body that is rapidly filling with nutrasweet, and when it tops off I will die. Soda sounds sickening to me, I can hardly mouth the word. It is in the family of "S" words that I cannot abide. The worst sentence possible to me is "Grab a SODA, we are having SUPPER on the SOFA." vastly inferior to "Grab a POP (Diet Coke), we are having DINNER on the COUCH (davenport is acceptable)". Any rubber sole athletic shoe is a tennis shoe to me, I realized this whilst courting a NY girl who said "sneakers" all the time, and kept me constantly confused. I believe I am in the wrong in the second example, but it is too late to change.
posted by thirteen at 7:47 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by thirteen at 7:47 AM on April 18, 2001
If the fact that I prefer Pepsi is the weirdest thing about me, then I'm doing all right.
I don't mind Pizza Hut, either. Or actually, I didn't when I lived in Michigan. I will say the times I've tried the Hut out here in Seattle, it's not been so great. I usually order from Papa John's now.
posted by kindall at 8:33 AM on April 18, 2001
I don't mind Pizza Hut, either. Or actually, I didn't when I lived in Michigan. I will say the times I've tried the Hut out here in Seattle, it's not been so great. I usually order from Papa John's now.
posted by kindall at 8:33 AM on April 18, 2001
I prefer Diet Coke over any other pop.
...and you thought you were weird
posted by cCranium at 8:47 AM on April 18, 2001
...and you thought you were weird
posted by cCranium at 8:47 AM on April 18, 2001
Gotta get in on this one.
Not only do I prefer Pepsi, I prefer it at room temperature. And I am the only one in my family who drinks it.
Having moved from Maryland to Ohio 7 years ago, I was immediately aware of the "pop" thing, but I steadfastly refuse to say "pop". It is, always has been, and always will be, "soda".
My father runs his own vending machine service, and he has some accounts as far south (from Baltimore) as VA. He has told me that when you order labels for soda machines in the south, you have to ask for "coke labels", and then they will ask you what kind of coke label you want - Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc.
And last but not least, I heard once that Pepsi (or was it Coke?) pursued a lawsuit wherein restaurants would be required to inform their customers that they serve Pepsi if a Coke was ordered - instead of just silently bringing them a Pepsi and hoping the customer wouldn't notice. Any truth to this?
posted by starvingartist at 8:47 AM on April 18, 2001
Not only do I prefer Pepsi, I prefer it at room temperature. And I am the only one in my family who drinks it.
Having moved from Maryland to Ohio 7 years ago, I was immediately aware of the "pop" thing, but I steadfastly refuse to say "pop". It is, always has been, and always will be, "soda".
My father runs his own vending machine service, and he has some accounts as far south (from Baltimore) as VA. He has told me that when you order labels for soda machines in the south, you have to ask for "coke labels", and then they will ask you what kind of coke label you want - Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc.
And last but not least, I heard once that Pepsi (or was it Coke?) pursued a lawsuit wherein restaurants would be required to inform their customers that they serve Pepsi if a Coke was ordered - instead of just silently bringing them a Pepsi and hoping the customer wouldn't notice. Any truth to this?
posted by starvingartist at 8:47 AM on April 18, 2001
I was visiting friends in NYC a few years ago, and I asked one of them for a "pop," which is what I grew up hearing and saying in deepest, darkest, reddest-neck Idaho. "Soda" was something you added to a cake recipe.
They looked at me like I had grown a second head until I explained that I wouldn't mind a Coke.
posted by Skot at 8:53 AM on April 18, 2001
They looked at me like I had grown a second head until I explained that I wouldn't mind a Coke.
posted by Skot at 8:53 AM on April 18, 2001
'Soda' and 'pop' are both ludicrous. It's like calling biscuits 'cookies' or something.
posted by Mocata at 8:57 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by Mocata at 8:57 AM on April 18, 2001
Does that mean to me Coke is equivalent with soda or pop? Not sure how to fill out the questionaire
There are two different modes of speaking about carbonated beverages. If you said "coke" when someone else might say "soda" or "pop." Such as in the statement: "I drink a lot of coke." That's what the survey is asking. When you're at a drive-thru and you order something, you ask for what you want, in which case "Coke" is a product name, not a generic term. You wouldn't go up to the drive-thru and ask for "soda" would you?
Growing up in Arkansas, I always called carbonated beverages "cokes," but I'm sad to say that living in Missouri, my habits have changed and now I say "soda." I really want to get back in the habit of saying "coke" (you know, maintain my heritage and all), but it's difficult when everyone says "soda."
Oh well.
As for drinks of preference, I used to go for Coca-Cola all the way, but more recently, I've found myself craving Pepsi occasionally when it's really hot out or I'm exhausted. I think the extra sugar is what I'm craving. Coke definitely has a more complex flavor, I generally prefer it at restaurants or from fountains. I try to just drink diet stuff though anymore, and for a while Diet Mountain Dew was the only thing I could stand, but I've gradually acquired a taste for Diet Pepsi, then Diet Coke (not sure why, but that was the hardest one). Now I can pretty much drink any diet coke (see, there's an example of *correct* usage of the generic term ;)).
posted by daveadams at 9:24 AM on April 18, 2001
There are two different modes of speaking about carbonated beverages. If you said "coke" when someone else might say "soda" or "pop." Such as in the statement: "I drink a lot of coke." That's what the survey is asking. When you're at a drive-thru and you order something, you ask for what you want, in which case "Coke" is a product name, not a generic term. You wouldn't go up to the drive-thru and ask for "soda" would you?
Growing up in Arkansas, I always called carbonated beverages "cokes," but I'm sad to say that living in Missouri, my habits have changed and now I say "soda." I really want to get back in the habit of saying "coke" (you know, maintain my heritage and all), but it's difficult when everyone says "soda."
Oh well.
As for drinks of preference, I used to go for Coca-Cola all the way, but more recently, I've found myself craving Pepsi occasionally when it's really hot out or I'm exhausted. I think the extra sugar is what I'm craving. Coke definitely has a more complex flavor, I generally prefer it at restaurants or from fountains. I try to just drink diet stuff though anymore, and for a while Diet Mountain Dew was the only thing I could stand, but I've gradually acquired a taste for Diet Pepsi, then Diet Coke (not sure why, but that was the hardest one). Now I can pretty much drink any diet coke (see, there's an example of *correct* usage of the generic term ;)).
posted by daveadams at 9:24 AM on April 18, 2001
I'm a Coke fan, and a 'soda' proponent, even though I'm living in Minnesota, land of 'pop' and lakes. 'Pop' makes it sound like we're back in the 1950s, as if it should be in the context of "Let's go down to the diner for a pop and play the jukebox, Betty!"
One thing I will say is that Coke from the glass bottles is so much better than Coke from a can. There's no comparison, and I can't explain it. An ice-cold Coke on a hot tropical day from a glass bottle dripping with condensation -- there's no sweeter nectar of the gods in existence. My family in the Dominican Republic would get cases of bottles of Coke at a time; finish off the bottle, put it back in the case, select another, remove cap, enjoy, repeat. And earth-friendly, too, as we always recycled the old bottles.
Remember the recent holiday trend of six-paks of Coke in those mini-bottles with Santa on the front? Not quite the same, but not bad at all, my friend.
And Pepsi makes me cringe. I can't stand that shit. Yet Wild Cherry Pepsi aint bad at all. Go figure. The comment above about "Sorry, we only serve Pepsi..." with a disappointed, hesitant "Well... okay." in reply was right on. Never have I ever seen anyone exclaim "Praise Jesus, you have Pepsi!" And I've never been out to dinner with anyone who orders a Pepsi on purpose, either, so that theory's got some weight to it.
posted by evixir at 9:36 AM on April 18, 2001
One thing I will say is that Coke from the glass bottles is so much better than Coke from a can. There's no comparison, and I can't explain it. An ice-cold Coke on a hot tropical day from a glass bottle dripping with condensation -- there's no sweeter nectar of the gods in existence. My family in the Dominican Republic would get cases of bottles of Coke at a time; finish off the bottle, put it back in the case, select another, remove cap, enjoy, repeat. And earth-friendly, too, as we always recycled the old bottles.
Remember the recent holiday trend of six-paks of Coke in those mini-bottles with Santa on the front? Not quite the same, but not bad at all, my friend.
And Pepsi makes me cringe. I can't stand that shit. Yet Wild Cherry Pepsi aint bad at all. Go figure. The comment above about "Sorry, we only serve Pepsi..." with a disappointed, hesitant "Well... okay." in reply was right on. Never have I ever seen anyone exclaim "Praise Jesus, you have Pepsi!" And I've never been out to dinner with anyone who orders a Pepsi on purpose, either, so that theory's got some weight to it.
posted by evixir at 9:36 AM on April 18, 2001
Being from Quebec, I can tell you that the above is more or less true.
However, Pepsi in Quebec is way sweeter than it is anywhere else, and might also explain it's popularity. Most of my French-speaking friends drink Pepsi, and the English-speaking ones, Coke.
Oh, and it's not pop or soda, it's a soft drink.
posted by sauril at 9:41 AM on April 18, 2001
However, Pepsi in Quebec is way sweeter than it is anywhere else, and might also explain it's popularity. Most of my French-speaking friends drink Pepsi, and the English-speaking ones, Coke.
Oh, and it's not pop or soda, it's a soft drink.
posted by sauril at 9:41 AM on April 18, 2001
I should also point out that the best soft/fizzy drink around is in fact Rubicon Guanabana.
posted by Mocata at 9:49 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by Mocata at 9:49 AM on April 18, 2001
Pop from a bottle, whether it be coke or pepsi, is definitely best out of a glass bottle. (Just like beer.) Can anyone really pinpoint when exactly the glass bottles gave way to the plastic 20 oz. bottles? I'm guessing early 90's, but to be honest I can't remember even noticing the change. Only now do I realize how much I miss the ice cold bottle of POP.
posted by JFunk2800 at 10:22 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by JFunk2800 at 10:22 AM on April 18, 2001
The reason you get asked "Is Pepsi OK?" is because the Coca Cola company insists on it. If a trademark becomes generic, the company owning that trademark can lose control over it. Everywhere in the world except the US, "Aspirin" is a registered trademark of Bayer, and if you ask for Aspirin, you'll get a product made by Bayer.
But in the US, the name had become generic for that drug, and Bayer lost control over the trademark. There are a lot of other companies who don't want that to happen, like Kimberly Clark (owners of the "Kleenex" brandname) and Xerox. About fifteen years ago, Coca Cola noticed that they were perilously close to having this happen to their tradmark Coke. People would go into a restaurant, order a "coke" and the restaurant would serve Pepsi or RC or something else which was cola-flavored, but which was not Coca Cola. If this had gone on for very much longer, they'd have lost control over the trademark. (The proper generic term is "cola", which isn't owned by anyone.)
So they embarked on an advertising campaign to reinforce the fact that "coke" referred to Coca Cola, and they also cracked down on restaurants: if someone orders a "coke" then you better serve them Coca Cola, or specifically offer them something else instead. When they're ordering "coke" they are not asking for whatever cola is available, they're asking for genyouine Coca Cola and that better damned well be what you serve them. Thus said Coca Cola.
Which is why you get asked that.
Me, I prefer root beer.
posted by Steven Den Beste at 10:50 AM on April 18, 2001
But in the US, the name had become generic for that drug, and Bayer lost control over the trademark. There are a lot of other companies who don't want that to happen, like Kimberly Clark (owners of the "Kleenex" brandname) and Xerox. About fifteen years ago, Coca Cola noticed that they were perilously close to having this happen to their tradmark Coke. People would go into a restaurant, order a "coke" and the restaurant would serve Pepsi or RC or something else which was cola-flavored, but which was not Coca Cola. If this had gone on for very much longer, they'd have lost control over the trademark. (The proper generic term is "cola", which isn't owned by anyone.)
So they embarked on an advertising campaign to reinforce the fact that "coke" referred to Coca Cola, and they also cracked down on restaurants: if someone orders a "coke" then you better serve them Coca Cola, or specifically offer them something else instead. When they're ordering "coke" they are not asking for whatever cola is available, they're asking for genyouine Coca Cola and that better damned well be what you serve them. Thus said Coca Cola.
Which is why you get asked that.
Me, I prefer root beer.
posted by Steven Den Beste at 10:50 AM on April 18, 2001
I do recall when two-liter bottles went from glass to plastic; it was right around 1980. I can remember freaking out a friend of mine by taking a hammer to a bottle of Pepsi and whacking it. I seem to recall that the smaller plastic bottles came out much later, but still probably before the 1990s.
posted by briank at 10:50 AM on April 18, 2001
posted by briank at 10:50 AM on April 18, 2001
I grew up saying "pop" (I'm from Spokane, WA)... but as soon as I heard people using the term "soda", I switched. "Pop" always sounded strange.
As for the Pepsi v Coke thang, I prefer ginger ale (real ginger ale... the kind that makes your eyes water), Dr Pepper, and when I'm in Canada... I try and get a little spruce beer for old time's sake (I used to live in Quebec...).
posted by silusGROK at 12:05 PM on April 18, 2001
As for the Pepsi v Coke thang, I prefer ginger ale (real ginger ale... the kind that makes your eyes water), Dr Pepper, and when I'm in Canada... I try and get a little spruce beer for old time's sake (I used to live in Quebec...).
posted by silusGROK at 12:05 PM on April 18, 2001
Everywhere in the world except the US, "Aspirin" is a registered trademark of Bayer, and if you ask for Aspirin, you'll get a product made by Bayer.
That trademark's not enforced in the UK: at least, every supermarket and chemist sells its own aspirin under that name.
Anyway, I say "fizzy drink", to differentiate it from "dilute"/"juice"/"squash". (And that's the debate that Brits can have about terminology.)
posted by holgate at 12:18 PM on April 18, 2001
That trademark's not enforced in the UK: at least, every supermarket and chemist sells its own aspirin under that name.
Anyway, I say "fizzy drink", to differentiate it from "dilute"/"juice"/"squash". (And that's the debate that Brits can have about terminology.)
posted by holgate at 12:18 PM on April 18, 2001
Here in Boston, everybody knows Coke is just a kind of tonic, sort of like Moxie, only without that vile, put-hair-on-your-chest taste.
posted by agaffin at 1:15 PM on April 18, 2001
posted by agaffin at 1:15 PM on April 18, 2001
Mocata: then there's my Jamaican grandfather who says "sweet biscuit" for cookie...
And Coke is the one true soda. The only Pepsi I ever liked was Crystal Pepsi, and we know what happened there...
posted by owillis at 1:50 PM on April 18, 2001
And Coke is the one true soda. The only Pepsi I ever liked was Crystal Pepsi, and we know what happened there...
posted by owillis at 1:50 PM on April 18, 2001
The reason Pizza Hut (as well as Taco Bell and KFC) serve Pepsi is because they are all owned by PepsiCo.
My friends who drink Coke say the stuff in the glass bottles from Mexico is better than the U.S. version. Apparently, since Mexico is a sugar-producing country, it's cheaper to use cane sugar instead of corn syrup as a sweetener (which is cheaper in the U.S.) You can find this at some markets in Texas, and of course, across the border.
posted by sixdifferentways at 2:21 PM on April 18, 2001
My friends who drink Coke say the stuff in the glass bottles from Mexico is better than the U.S. version. Apparently, since Mexico is a sugar-producing country, it's cheaper to use cane sugar instead of corn syrup as a sweetener (which is cheaper in the U.S.) You can find this at some markets in Texas, and of course, across the border.
posted by sixdifferentways at 2:21 PM on April 18, 2001
For comparison, on alt.usage.english there was just a discussion about the difference between (what I call) apple juice, cider, and hard cider. Not only is there a big diff between British and American uses, there wasn't much agreement among the Americans. Some people made the dividing line on fermentation into alcohol, others on the carbonation level caused by the final application of sugar, others on the pasteurization or filtration.
Since it seems pretty darned clear to me, I was somewhat astonished.
posted by dhartung at 2:27 PM on April 18, 2001
Since it seems pretty darned clear to me, I was somewhat astonished.
posted by dhartung at 2:27 PM on April 18, 2001
I prefer Diet Coke. Diet Coke means good taste, honest refreshment, and red-blooded American consumerism!
Diet Coke is a great symbol for this wonderful nation we live in. A Diet Coke drinker is instantly recognized as a wholesome and responsible member of society. This can be contrasted with the popular image of Pepsi drinkers as ill-mannered, malnourished, hooligans.
Don't fall in with that Pepsi crowd. It's a path to ruin. I've seen it happen.
posted by y6y6y6 at 3:06 PM on April 18, 2001
Diet Coke is a great symbol for this wonderful nation we live in. A Diet Coke drinker is instantly recognized as a wholesome and responsible member of society. This can be contrasted with the popular image of Pepsi drinkers as ill-mannered, malnourished, hooligans.
Don't fall in with that Pepsi crowd. It's a path to ruin. I've seen it happen.
posted by y6y6y6 at 3:06 PM on April 18, 2001
I'm just grateful that the Walmartization of America hasn't -- so far -- eliminated regional linguistic differences. And perhaps it never will, especially with food. Regional cuisines (McDonald's notwithstanding) are still fairly distinct, probably because of the wide variation of foods indigenous to different areas.
When I was eighteen, the summer before I was a freshman in college, I received several different orientation publications that stressed the linguistic peculiarities of the Boston area. I paid fairly close attention to these and was amused any number of times by other frosh ordering a "milkshake," and receiving flavored milk. But then, people who don't take their ice cream seriously don't deserve to sit at the counter and have their frappes served to them in two tall glasses.
posted by anapestic at 3:32 PM on April 18, 2001
When I was eighteen, the summer before I was a freshman in college, I received several different orientation publications that stressed the linguistic peculiarities of the Boston area. I paid fairly close attention to these and was amused any number of times by other frosh ordering a "milkshake," and receiving flavored milk. But then, people who don't take their ice cream seriously don't deserve to sit at the counter and have their frappes served to them in two tall glasses.
posted by anapestic at 3:32 PM on April 18, 2001
6, TriCon owns the Hut, the Bell, and the Colonel. And while Pepsico does own controlling interest in TriCon, my anal-retentiveness prevents me from letting people believe that Pepsi owns these fine eating establishments without any intermediate levels of bullshit corporate hierarchy.
On another note, I know that Pepsi is the best. And it's not just my tastebuds that think so, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears both agree with me.
posted by anildash at 4:07 PM on April 18, 2001
On another note, I know that Pepsi is the best. And it's not just my tastebuds that think so, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears both agree with me.
posted by anildash at 4:07 PM on April 18, 2001
starvingartist: You prefer your sodas at room temperature, too? I thought I was the only one.
posted by youhas at 7:14 PM on April 18, 2001
posted by youhas at 7:14 PM on April 18, 2001
Actually, anildash, Britney doesn't prefer Pepsi. At least not until she was paid to.
posted by JFunk2800 at 7:54 PM on April 18, 2001
posted by JFunk2800 at 7:54 PM on April 18, 2001
The reason Pizza Hut (as well as Taco Bell and KFC) serve Pepsi is because they are all owned by PepsiCo.
Well, as pointed out by anil, they are actually owned by Tricon, but anil, although Pepsi still owns controlling interest in Tricon, PepsiCo used to own the restaurants outright, but they were spun off as a separate company to improve PepsiCo's financials.
My friends who drink Coke say the stuff in the glass bottles from Mexico is better than the U.S.
I've heard the same thing, but a couple of years ago I found some glass-bottle imported-from-Mexico Coca-Cola and I bought a few bottles thinking how I would savor this super-sweet super-rich drink. But I was tricked! Either the bottles I bought weren't authentic or they had gone bad or the whole thing's a sham, because if anything, that Coke was more watery and less sweet than any I'd had.
posted by daveadams at 8:07 PM on April 18, 2001
Well, as pointed out by anil, they are actually owned by Tricon, but anil, although Pepsi still owns controlling interest in Tricon, PepsiCo used to own the restaurants outright, but they were spun off as a separate company to improve PepsiCo's financials.
My friends who drink Coke say the stuff in the glass bottles from Mexico is better than the U.S.
I've heard the same thing, but a couple of years ago I found some glass-bottle imported-from-Mexico Coca-Cola and I bought a few bottles thinking how I would savor this super-sweet super-rich drink. But I was tricked! Either the bottles I bought weren't authentic or they had gone bad or the whole thing's a sham, because if anything, that Coke was more watery and less sweet than any I'd had.
posted by daveadams at 8:07 PM on April 18, 2001
Growing up in Arkansas, I always called carbonated beverages "cokes," but I'm sad to say that living in Missouri, my habits have changed and now I say "soda."
In my experience, dave, Missouri is one of the few states that doesn't call soft drinks just one word. In the St. Louis area and the surrounding region (where I'm from), people strictly call it "soda". In the Kansas City area, they call it "pop". In Springfield, it seems to be a toss-up. While I have heard "soda" more than "pop", neither seem to be frowned nor smiled upon when entering a local 7-11. Then again, that's 'cause I usually enter 7-11 (or Git N' Go, or whatever) on the weekends, when everyone and their brother is trying to buy beer. ;)
posted by lannie628 at 8:11 PM on April 18, 2001
In my experience, dave, Missouri is one of the few states that doesn't call soft drinks just one word. In the St. Louis area and the surrounding region (where I'm from), people strictly call it "soda". In the Kansas City area, they call it "pop". In Springfield, it seems to be a toss-up. While I have heard "soda" more than "pop", neither seem to be frowned nor smiled upon when entering a local 7-11. Then again, that's 'cause I usually enter 7-11 (or Git N' Go, or whatever) on the weekends, when everyone and their brother is trying to buy beer. ;)
posted by lannie628 at 8:11 PM on April 18, 2001
This is so bizarrely coincidental. I too was brought up in Great Falls, MT, and Spokane, WA, among godfearing "pop" pronouncers. As soon as we moved to California, I began calling it "soda" and I've stuck to it, even though my spouse continues to say "pop." Now here's the bizarre part. I stayed at my sister's house in Portland, OR a couple of weekends ago for our parents' 50th wedding annv. celebration. She still says pop, as does everyone else in our family, and we had this very discussion in her kitchen, about how weird it was that some said soda, others, pop! I thought maybe it was a California/Oregon thing, but when the website popped up, it proved to be much more widespread than that. I sent the link on to them, as evidence, that we must
be fairly au courrant, having discussed a salient TOTD (Topic Of The Day)!
posted by Lynsey at 10:00 PM on April 18, 2001
be fairly au courrant, having discussed a salient TOTD (Topic Of The Day)!
posted by Lynsey at 10:00 PM on April 18, 2001
Regarding Mexican Coke -- they seem to occasionally use corn syrup there, too. Same in Canada. So it's really a crapshoot whether you will get the good stuff.
The only way to be certain of getting the Real Thing is to buy Coke that is kosher for Passover. But in most parts of the country it is impossible to find. For a couple of years one of the stores here in Seattle had it shipped in from Chicago, and we'd stock up. It was amazing stuff. It had that wonderful "bite" that I remember from Coke when I was a kid. It hasn't had that since they switched to corn syrup.
I feel sorry for those of you who are young enough to have never had Real Coke.
posted by litlnemo at 12:58 AM on April 19, 2001
The only way to be certain of getting the Real Thing is to buy Coke that is kosher for Passover. But in most parts of the country it is impossible to find. For a couple of years one of the stores here in Seattle had it shipped in from Chicago, and we'd stock up. It was amazing stuff. It had that wonderful "bite" that I remember from Coke when I was a kid. It hasn't had that since they switched to corn syrup.
I feel sorry for those of you who are young enough to have never had Real Coke.
posted by litlnemo at 12:58 AM on April 19, 2001
I feel sorry for those of you who are too young to have ever had Coca-Cola that was made from actual cocaine. Including me.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:00 AM on April 19, 2001
posted by ZachsMind at 8:00 AM on April 19, 2001
When I said whilst courting a NY girl I really meant to say whilst pitching woo to a NY girl
Thank you for understanding.
posted by thirteen at 2:53 PM on April 23, 2001
Thank you for understanding.
posted by thirteen at 2:53 PM on April 23, 2001
Whatever you call it, here is where to get it. Coca-Cola Light cause I'm a worthless gob.
Diet Coke fans, check out Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6's Diet Coke Resource Page. I admire this collection of links and commentary very much.
posted by thirteen at 2:56 PM on April 24, 2001
Diet Coke fans, check out Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6's Diet Coke Resource Page. I admire this collection of links and commentary very much.
posted by thirteen at 2:56 PM on April 24, 2001
Wow, something went wrong in my coding!
Again
Whatever you call it, here is where to get it. popsoda.com. I want to try the Coca-Cola Light cause I'm a worthless gob.
Diet Coke fans, check out Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6's Diet Coke Resource Page. I admire this collection of links and commentary very much.
posted by thirteen at 2:59 PM on April 24, 2001
Again
Whatever you call it, here is where to get it. popsoda.com. I want to try the Coca-Cola Light cause I'm a worthless gob.
Diet Coke fans, check out Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6Y6's Diet Coke Resource Page. I admire this collection of links and commentary very much.
posted by thirteen at 2:59 PM on April 24, 2001
Hey, thanks.
Ummmm...... you don't think I'm obsessive then?
posted by y6y6y6 at 3:17 PM on April 24, 2001
Ummmm...... you don't think I'm obsessive then?
posted by y6y6y6 at 3:17 PM on April 24, 2001
Friend, you preach the only religion I understand. (besides Asatru, and I don't really follow that)
posted by thirteen at 3:24 PM on April 24, 2001
posted by thirteen at 3:24 PM on April 24, 2001
thirteen, when you're finished pitching woo, mop the floor, OK?
I'll have to look for some of that kosher Coke ... never thought of that. Hmmm. Any fellow Chicagoans have suggestions?
posted by dhartung at 4:44 PM on April 24, 2001
I'll have to look for some of that kosher Coke ... never thought of that. Hmmm. Any fellow Chicagoans have suggestions?
posted by dhartung at 4:44 PM on April 24, 2001
dhartung: I have seen displays of it available in Jewel's and Dominic's during Jewish holiday's.
I was disappointed not to see any Jamacian Ting on the popsoda site. I have only had it on a visit to NY. It was the only product they sold in a storefront that was a front for Maryjane delt under the counter. I did not buy any pot, but I loved the Ting, sort of like squirt-50/50 but better for some reason. Not good enough to throw over diet Coke in favor of it, but a nice walking around drink.
posted by thirteen at 4:59 PM on April 24, 2001
I was disappointed not to see any Jamacian Ting on the popsoda site. I have only had it on a visit to NY. It was the only product they sold in a storefront that was a front for Maryjane delt under the counter. I did not buy any pot, but I loved the Ting, sort of like squirt-50/50 but better for some reason. Not good enough to throw over diet Coke in favor of it, but a nice walking around drink.
posted by thirteen at 4:59 PM on April 24, 2001
The best time to find kosher for Passover Coke is a few weeks before Passover. If you wait until the holiday starts, it most likely will be gone. I'm certain you can find the stuff at a kosher grocer - there must be a few in Skokie...
posted by Aaaugh! at 7:45 AM on April 25, 2001
posted by Aaaugh! at 7:45 AM on April 25, 2001
Well, Aaaugh! and I just did a Coke taste test (Kosher-for-Passover vs. Non-kosher-for-Passover) and have concluded that:
1. Kosher-for-Passover (sugar only) Coke is slightly sweeter and,
2. Non-kosher-for-Passover (sugar plus corn syrup) Coke has a somewhat bitter aftertaste.
Our (somewhat) double-blind results have brought us to the (unscientific) conclusion that "Kosher-for-Passover Coke Is It!"
(now, to make that into an advertisement...)
(me, I prefer Dr. Pepper)
posted by Avogadro at 10:35 AM on April 25, 2001
1. Kosher-for-Passover (sugar only) Coke is slightly sweeter and,
2. Non-kosher-for-Passover (sugar plus corn syrup) Coke has a somewhat bitter aftertaste.
Our (somewhat) double-blind results have brought us to the (unscientific) conclusion that "Kosher-for-Passover Coke Is It!"
(now, to make that into an advertisement...)
(me, I prefer Dr. Pepper)
posted by Avogadro at 10:35 AM on April 25, 2001
(me, I prefer Dr. Pepper)
You know, it's possible to get corn-syrup-free Dr Pepper, too. There's one plant in Texas that still makes it according to the old recipe, and you can order up to 25 cases of the good stuff over the Internet. It even comes in glass bottles!
posted by redfoxtail at 8:16 AM on April 26, 2001
You know, it's possible to get corn-syrup-free Dr Pepper, too. There's one plant in Texas that still makes it according to the old recipe, and you can order up to 25 cases of the good stuff over the Internet. It even comes in glass bottles!
posted by redfoxtail at 8:16 AM on April 26, 2001
Non-kosher-for-Passover (sugar plus corn syrup) Coke has a somewhat bitter aftertaste
Well, I haven't had kosher/non-corn-syruped Coke in ages, I don't suppose, but I can agree with the bitter aftertaste idea without even trying the kosher kind.
posted by daveadams at 8:41 AM on April 26, 2001
Well, I haven't had kosher/non-corn-syruped Coke in ages, I don't suppose, but I can agree with the bitter aftertaste idea without even trying the kosher kind.
posted by daveadams at 8:41 AM on April 26, 2001
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Besides I avoid battery acid nowadays. I drink tea, juice, water and occasionally coffee. Used to drink that stuff like it was air, but nowadays the syrupy bubbly stuff makes my innards feel like a melting chocolate bunny.
posted by ZachsMind at 1:40 AM on April 18, 2001