Why do Texans refer to all soda as "Coke"? (Houston: pharmacist, groceries)

[Ketabcha]

We had a discussion last night driving back from a party. My friend said:

"Want to stop for a coke?"

I said "Yes."

She said "What do you want?"

I said "A diet Dr. Pepper."

ahahahahahahahahahaha! True story. Yeah, we do tend to say "coke."

If someone says "soda" we immediately know they are not from here.

[triwing]

I personally don't when it comes to root beer. Root beer is root beer.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Ketabcha

We had a discussion last night driving back from a party. My friend said:

"Want to stop for a coke?"

I said "Yes."

She said "What do you want?"

I said "A diet Dr. Pepper."

ahahahahahahahahahaha! True story. Yeah, we do tend to say "coke."

If someone says "soda" we immediately know they are not from here.

Great story...and true as blue!

Perhaps there are exceptions, but most native Texans know what is meant when the question (or varient) of "Anybody want a coke..?" is asked.

[Heimdall]

The other day at a family get-together I asked my parents (native Texans) and grand-parents (long-time Texas residents) if they ever heard of any type of soda being referred to as Coke, my parents said no, my grandparents however, admitted that they have heard it quite often also stating that it's more of a regional factor. It is predominant mostly in East and North Texas.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Heimdall

The other day at a family get-together I asked my parents (native Texans) and grand-parents (long-time Texas residents) if they ever heard of any type of soda being referred to as Coke, my parents said no, my grandparents however, admitted that they have heard it quite often also stating that it's more of a regional factor. It is predominant mostly in East and North Texas.

Also West Texas......I never heard anything else growing up there.

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by Heimdall

The other day at a family get-together I asked my parents (native Texans) and grand-parents (long-time Texas residents) if they ever heard of any type of soda being referred to as Coke, my parents said no, my grandparents however, admitted that they have heard it quite often also stating that it's more of a regional factor. It is predominant mostly in East and North Texas.

The map says it all. In other words, I don't believe you. (insert smilie here)

http://www.popvssoda.com/countystats/total-county.html

[doctorjef]

This thread is making me think that my parents - who certainly didn't refer to soft drinks generically as "coke" - were rather pedantic! Indeed, I think the generic term around my house was "soft drink". Maybe "diet drink" or "diet soda", since that's the only kind we ever had at home. In turn, maybe when I heard someone refer to "coke" I have just always imagined they were speaking of a specific brand, when they might have been referring to a whole generic class of beverages.

[sillyours]

I will never forget one time that my late wife and I were newlyweds, and we went out to eat at a restaurant. The waitress came to our table, and she asked my wife, "Do you want a coke?" At first, she didn't understand her because we happen to be deaf, so she asked the lady to repeat what she just said. I lipreaded her and then signed to her, "Do you want a coke?" My wife shook her head and said, "I don't want Coke." I explained to her that it meant what kind of beverage she would like to have, so she told the lady what she wanted. When she left, I explained to my late wife that is what we say that in Texas.

[catman]

"Coke" is a generic term used when one wishes to refer to a carbonated beverage in general. I seldom hear it used that way, though. Most people are specific; if they want a Coke, they mean a Coca-Cola!

[cozcan]

I'm 23 and have lived in Texas my entire life (central and east). I and everybody I know says "coke" for anything that fizzes. I have NEVER heard "soda". Or "pop".

"We have coke, tea, and water."
"Coke, please."
"What kind of coke would you like?"
"I'll have a Dr. Pepper."

I've lived just east of Austin (Lexington, Texas), Huntsville, Texas, and Houston, Texas.