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I can't recall if I've ever heard anyone in New York City use the word 'cola.' People ask for either Coke or Pepsi (whatever their preference happens to be).
It's all coke, just that sometimes the coke comes in pepsi, sprite, or some other flavor. Of course if you mean Co-cola just say so.
Mid South, via the midwest and deep south.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasReb
Coke! -- Native Texan/Southerner.
I thought the first one was a joke. Really? There are people who refer to all soda as "coke"? I didn't know that.
I thought the first one was a joke. Really? There are people who refer to all soda as "coke"? I didn't know that.
Yes, just as there are people in other parts of the country who refer to all "cokes" as "soda"! (just being a light-hearted, patronizing, in my own turn, here!). But seriously, yes. "Coke" is a common term in the Southern United States to generically refer to soft-drinks! I don't think it is quite as common as it used to be, but the map pegs it pretty well, overall, I think.
By that they mean Coke products, and even then, to say such is extremely rare in this region. I don't know why so many southerners purport that this kind of stuff takes place regularly, when it doesn't. In my 30+ years, all lived in the south, I have rarely heard these kinds of things.
yeah I've never heard it. People will call soft drinks "cokes" but nobody says in a restaurant "I want a coke" unless they want a coca-cola.
Exactly. I live in Texas and been all over the state. I've rarely [if ever] heard anyone say Coke; unless they were asking for a coca cola. I'm sure people say Coke here, but I've never heard it and I don't think the term is nowhere near as dominant as that map suggests.
Same here. I've never heard anyone from Texas ask for a coke or a waitet ask us what coke qould you like.
Same here. I've never heard anyone from Texas ask for a coke or a waitet ask us what coke qould you like.
We have talked about this one before, Spade. And both agreed that there is probably a black/white dichotomy in the South as far as usage goes. Black Texans/Southerners tend to say "soda", while most native whites of the same use "coke" as the generic term for soft-drink.
Like any survey/study, there are going to be flaws in it...and perhaps there were not enough African-Americans polled to give an accurate reading. BUT at the same time, the "color-scheme" (no pun intended) on the map is just too starkly and clearly contrasting between regions to be taken lightly. Also, there was another study done -- by Harvard University -- which "verified" the same findings within the same states, along with a breakdown state by state: Here they area: (see question 105):
So, again, while I see y'alls point (you and blkgiraffe), these results are so clearly evident between the various parts of the country -- and with two seperate polls -- that they cannot be dismissed, I don't think...
Last edited by TexasReb; 07-21-2011 at 10:38 PM..
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(just being a light-hearted, patronizing, in my own turn, here!). But seriously, yes. "Coke" is a common term in the Southern United States to generically refer to soft-drinks! I don't think it is quite as common as it used to be, but the map pegs it pretty well, overall, I think. 
