Soda or Pop? Or both?

[Slash]

Another one of those things were your location depends...


Soft drinks. How do you refer to them? Soda, or pop, or soda pop?

I say pop and soda, but mainly pop. I've heard soda around so it's normal, but pop is the main thing where I live.

Here's a map of the US...in 2008. But I think it's still pretty much the same. I live in Western New York, so I'd say the map is spot on, at least for this region.

Common terms:

Soft Drink
Fizzy Drink
Pop
Soda

 

[PeterJB]

Thanks to the wonder that is American English, you're gonna have to specify what soda and pop constitute.

 

[Azuremen]

The map is from 2003.

And soda has slowly been gaining traction in Washington, praise Jesus.

 

[McLaren]

Thanks to the wonder that is American English, you're gonna have to specify what soda and pop constitute.

Soft drinks as the graph is titled.

Funny how we southerners just go straight for Coke, even though it's dead on. Can't remember the last I heard anyone ask for soda or pop. We usually just get straight down to the specific make.

 

[PeterJB]

Soft drinks as the graph is titled.

Yeah I got that, but what's the difference between soda and pop?

 

[terminator363]

I specify the name of the substance so, neither.

 

[Slash]

Yeah I got that, but what's the difference between soda and pop?

There isn't. It's the word you use to refer to it.


I basically made this because I met a girl from Jersey that laughed at me when I said pop and I was like wuuut? Everyone says pop around here. Haha.

Soft drinks as the graph is titled.

Funny how we southerners just go straight for Coke, even though it's dead on. Can't remember the last I heard anyone ask for soda or pop. We usually just get straight down to the specific make.

Usually we use soda or pop when referring to soft drinks as a whole. When you are asked what kind you want, then you get specific. For example...

"Hey you want some pop?"
"Yeah, sure."
"What kind do you want?"
"Coke or Sprite is fine, thanks."

Change the first sentence to

"Hey, you want a soda?"

Works both ways.

The map is from 2003.

And soda has slowly been gaining traction in Washington, praise Jesus.

When I looked it up, it said '08. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[PeterJB]

There isn't. It's the word you use to refer to it.

OK now this makes a lot more sense...

 

[McLaren]

Yeah I got that, but what's the difference between soda and pop?

Nothing. It's just how people refer to the drink. Similar to how 1 part of the country calls condoms raincoats & another as jimmy hats.

Slang, essentially.

Usually we use soda or pop when referring to soft drinks as a whole. When you are asked what kind you want, then you get specific. For example...

"Hey you want some pop?"
"Yeah, sure."
"What kind do you want?"
"Coke or Sprite is fine, thanks."

Change the first sentence to

"Hey, you want a soda?"

Works both ways.

Places here don't ask if we want a soda or pop. They just get straight to it & ask what we like to drink. Hence, why the graph probably just says Coke for the south.

 

[Mustangmiha]

What the heck's a pop?

 

[Slash]

What the heck's a pop?

Coke, Sierra Mist, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper....soft drinks.

Ever heard the term "pop can"?

"Go pick up those pop cans over there so we can return them."


https://www.google.com/search?q=pop...iw=1920&bih=988#q=pop+drink&safe=off&tbm=isch

 

[Mustangmiha]

Coke, Sierra Mist, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper....soft drinks.

Oh, a fizzy drink! I haven't met that term yet, thanks for clearing it up

 

[Slash]

Oh, a fizzy drink! I haven't met that term yet, thanks for clearing it up

Yet another term

Pop is a very common one around here...since the drink "pops" in your mouth and in the glass.

 

[TB]

Everyone says pop around here. Haha.

Same here. Precisely why I say soda.

 

[Slash]

Same here. Precisely why I say soda.

I'd say the split around here is something like 75% pop, 25% soda.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Can we have a "neither" section for all of us non-yanks please. Over here in ole'Blighty we just go for "Fizzy Drinks" or "Fizz" for short, or at least I do.

 

[Mikeybc]

Well it's POP up here, don't think I've ever said "soda" in my life except referring to baking soda.

 

[xXKingJoshXx]

I just refer to it as crap. I don't drink (general term) carbonated drinks because they taste terrible and make me want to throw up. I drink mainly tea and water and sometimes milk. The other day I was driving home from picking up a drink for me and my uncle and he got a coke and I got tea and I drank out of his on accident and had to pull over...

The only time it really comes as a downside is when I go to a place that only serves carbonated drinks and nothing else, but that's pretty rare because most places at least have tap water.

tl;dr

I mostly just refer to it as carbonated drink or maybe soda.

 

[Sage Ages]

Who the heck says "pop"?

 

[Skython]

I have never called a fizzy drink a "Soda," a "Soft drink," a "Pop," or an "Other." And I've never called a bottle of Lemonade a "Coke."

I call it "fizzy." All the budget sort of brands or small name brands I call fizzy, but big name brands like Coke, Sprite, Pepsi, Fanta, etc. They are referred to by brand name.

 

[Solid Lifters]

"Soda" mostly here in SoCal, but "Soft Drink" is used a lot, too.

 

[xXKingJoshXx]

Who the heck says "pop"?

After reading this thread, I'd say quite a few people do.

 

[Anathema]

I've always said soda (even though I never drink it.) Pop in my mind is Pop Rocks...

I do know a few (elderly) people who use soda pop...

 

[Villain]

Call it what you will, but if I'm having a sweet soft drink it better be a nice, cold Arnie P!

 

[daan]

Ginger.

Probable language warning.
http://www.firstfoot.com/dictionary/g.html

 

[TB]

Ginger.

Edit: Damn your edit.

 

[opelgt1969]

Here in the south (USA) Ever now and then we will have several sodie pops at one sitting.
Sodie pop = Beer

 

[W3H5]

I grew up saying fizzy drinks which I think is quite standard in the UK and that became fizzy pop when I got older.

Now I just call it pop.

 

[Shaun]

Down here it's never referred to as pop or soda.
Generic term is soft drink although mostly the specific brand is referred to, coke,solo,fanta etc.

Probable language warning.
http://www.firstfoot.com/dictionary/g.html

Bookmarked 👍.
Some memories in that lot.
Jauries .

 

[AOS-]

Everyone says pop. I encourage "soda" however... unless it's at work, because my colleagues have a poor vocab. I personally refer to it as soda, use "pop" with co-workers, and "drinks" with my customers.