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I think native NC-ians grew up saying "Coke" or "Pepsi" to mean all soft drinks. But "soda" is the "standard" term across most of the US and with so many moving to NC over the years, it's taken on here. Personalli I say "a drink" as long as it's understood that I don't mean a cocktail! But on my grocery list, I write "cokes" when what I actually get is something like Diet 7Up.
Just don't say "Pop" 'round these parts, it's like nails on a chalkboard!
I hate it when I'm at a restaurant, ask for a "diet Coke", and then I'm told "we only have Pepsi". To me, it's like what's the difference? If I ask for a "Coke" I just want a dark pop. If I ask for a "Sprite", I just want a clear pop. Why do the restaurants have to be so difficult?
Often they are legally required to say that by whichever company stocks them, and yes, there are some who can't stand one or the other.
I usually say "[diet] cola" to avoid the Coke/Pepsi spiel.
Believe it or not some people are really picky about that sort of thing. Like serious Coke/Pepsi partisans, which isn't helped by exclusivity contracts in foodservice.
I definitely prefer Coke over Pepsi, although I'm really more of an iced tea person. If I'm jonesing for a Coke and a restaurant just has Pepsi I might skip it in favor of tea instead.
Often they are legally required to say that by whichever company stocks them, and yes, there are some who can't stand one or the other.
It's not really a legal thing but most restaurants sign a contract to stock one or the other in exchange for discounts (soda is one of the highest margin items in foodservice; it's almost pure profit when purchased at a discount) and free stuff like counters/equipment/signage, etc. A lot also depends on which company has bottling and distro plants nearby, though that's not always the case.
I was raised in rural NE NC and always referred to it as a 'drink' as well. "Stop by the store so I can grab a drink". (no not an alcoholic drink ). Growing up once and a while I heard my dad say 'pop' but it may be because his family originally was from Ohio.
I was quite shocked when a co-worker announced "I WANT A DRINK." I was waiting for her to pull a bottle of Jack Daniels from her lunch bag. Instead she was asked what she wanted--"I want a coke."
One of my first NC vocabulary lessons.
Every time I say POP, I get the evil-nasty look and WTF am I talking about. I beg forgiveness and say some habits from the north are hard to change.
I think native NC-ians grew up saying "Coke" or "Pepsi" to mean all soft drinks. But "soda" is the "standard" term across most of the US and with so many moving to NC over the years, it's taken on here. Personalli I say "a drink" as long as it's understood that I don't mean a cocktail! But on my grocery list, I write "cokes" when what I actually get is something like Diet 7Up.
Just don't say "Pop" 'round these parts, it's like nails on a chalkboard!
That's the old map from 2002. The more recent map shows that soda is the preferred term.
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). Growing up once and a while I heard my dad say 'pop' but it may be because his family originally was from Ohio.
