Coke, Soda, or Pop: Most of NC, says Soda (company, map)

[Tarheelhombre]

Black Northerners rarely say "pop" outside of the Midwest. Soda is preferred in most places for black people.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Francois

I concur that Black people in the South say "soda", while most white NC natives would say "Coke".

I personally say "a soft drink" because I know people using all of the above, often in the same group.

"Pop", black or white, is exclusively in the Great Lakes region and the upper west. NC actually is one of the most diverse states, where you'll liable to hear all of them. But this is far from an NC-exclusive topic.

Article with cool Map

I recall that map. It's interesting that my home county, which is majority Black, is a "coke" county (although I never recall anybody calling it that growing up at all) but the one to the south, which is majority White, is a "soda" county.

[Vatnos]

I call it "soft drink", which is more common than people give credit. I think it's particularly common in NC but polls tend to ignore that option.

[Tarheelhombre]

Evolution

[getatag]

I grew up in NJ and NY, as a youngster we always called it, "The stuff Mom won't let us have".
But most called it soda.

[goldenage1]

There is also a small region around Boston where they call it "tonic", pronounced "tawnic".

[luv4horses]

Since Pepsi Cola originated in NC, it’s easy to imagine how the generic “coke” term was overtaken by something different.

Especially since Coca Cola was nicknamed Coke everywhere.

[Vatnos]

I like saying "soft drink" but I'm weird.

[Heel82]

I say coke.

[Heel82]

I’m surprised Soda wasn’t more common in the ‘40s, the whole soda jerk thing.