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That was kinda my impression too after living in Texas for a little over 10 years. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone who would refer to any dark soft drink as "coke", not even among the older generation. But I did hear people saying something like, "We say coke down here." But really most of the time they would either say "drink" or call it by its brand like Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper etc. I'm not a regular coke drinker but in all the restaurants I've ever eaten if I asked for a coke they brought coca-cola, I'm yet to encounter a waiter who would ask "What kind?"
That was kinda my impression too after living in Texas for a little over 10 years. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone who would refer to any dark soft drink as "coke", not even among the older generation. But I did hear people saying something like, "We say coke down here." But really most of the time they would either say "drink" or call it by its brand like Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper etc. I'm not a regular coke drinker but in all the restaurants I've ever eaten if I asked for a coke they brought coca-cola, I'm yet to encounter a waiter who would ask "What kind?"
Good post...but a key question would be where do you live and what sorta places do you frequent which serve soft-drinks? I mean, do you you live in a major city. And even race (as African Americans are more likely to say "soda" than "coke".). Age also factors into it!
This is NOT facitious in the least, but it does have a bearing on the experience!
In normal conversation in Texas, if somebody says something like "y'all wanna go get a coke..?" Then chances are overwhelming that those hearing the question KNOW it isn't meant as to a Coca-Cola nor its varities. Likewise, if somebody asks a guest if they "want a coke"...then it is generally understood to mean a soft-drink of some sort. Even further, go into a regular cafe or whatever in the state, and a customer asks "What kinda cokes y'all got.?...and if the waiter or waitress is a native Texan? -- they just take for granted that the person is asking about the said variety of soft-drinks.
Now you gonna tell me I am wrong on this 'un, my friend?
Yep, when I lived in MS we had that conversation a lot. I learned real fast that when someone said, "Y'all want a coke?" they were asking what kind of soda I wanted.
Yep, when I lived in MS we had that conversation a lot. I learned real fast that when someone said, "Y'all want a coke?" they were asking what kind of soda I wanted.
EXACTLY right, wsc! It is simply a matter of historical regional idiom...and a "cool" thing (IMHO) in terms of natural, national, diversity!
I worked in Yosemite N.P. during the summer while in college. There were tons of other college students from all over the country working there - especially from Michigan. Whenever one of them would refer to soda as "pahp" I knew immediately where they were from. I loved to point out they had an accent just to rile them - they'd swear up and down they didn't (and that we Californians were the ones who talked funny ).
Oh, my older relatives on my dad's side from Oklahoma and Arkansas didn't say "coke", they would ask if you wanted a "cold drank".
Good post...but a key question would be where do you live and what sorta places do you frequent which serve soft-drinks? I mean, do you you live in a major city. And even race (as African Americans are more likely to say "soda" than "coke".). Age also factors into it!
This is NOT facitious in the least, but it does have a bearing on the experience!
Out of these 10 years I lived mainly in Corpus Christi and in a small town between CC and SA. Have been to SA and Houston a lot. Right now I live in West Texas. And I haven't heard anyone using "coke" to describe something other than coca-cola in any of these places, although I have met people who claimed they did
I actually haven't noticed a lot of people using the term "soda" either, I would say "drink" was probably the most commonly used term. And occasionally you'd hear transplants from Midwest saying "pop"
Out of these 10 years I lived mainly in Corpus Christi and in a small town between CC and SA. Have been to SA and Houston a lot. Right now I live in West Texas. And I haven't heard anyone using "coke" to describe something other than coca-cola in any of these places, although I have met people who claimed they did
I actually haven't noticed a lot of people using the term "soda" either, I would say "drink" was probably the most commonly used term. And occasionally you'd hear transplants from Midwest saying "pop"
I guess it comes down to our experiences (and perhaps, ages) are just different. Still though, I stand behind that my own (opinion) backs up that -- all in all - "coke" is the preferred -- and most "oft understood" generic term for a "soft-drink" in Texas.
If one says "coke" in Texas...in most contexts? Then it is understood. Further, most native Texans know HOW to use it and how it is natual as the use of "y'all". Hell, far as that goes...they so often blendes! For instance? "Y'all wanna coke"..?"
On the other hand? "Hey, you guys want a soda"?
Uhhhhh, now tell me which a true Texan/Southerner would really understand...having grown up with it...?
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