Why do Texans refer to all soda as "Coke"? (Houston: ice cream, residents)

[David Dollar]

This isn't just a Texas thing. We do the same thing in Mississippi.

[llmrkc07]

I grew up calling it soda. But my parents call it soda water.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by David Dollar

This isn't just a Texas thing. We do the same thing in Mississippi.

Correct . It is not just a Texas thing, but a generally Southern thing.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Not if the poll was run correctly.

It's a common mistake, thinking a poll is wrong because it doesn't match your personal experience, but let's face it... your personal experience is only ONE PERSON'S!

LOL Whaddya know? We agree on something!

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Spade

Nah. It's just that you and JJG are Black. Because I never EVER heard the term either growing up in Central Texas. We all either said Soda or the name of the Soda. We didn't say Orange pop or Orange coke. We said Orange soda. All of my friends and family said soda as well.

^^^

This post by Spade contains a lot of good summation and insight as to the relevency of the map (and other surveys back it up as well, not just this one). Matter of fact, it has been discussed before...and yep, there is a certain issue of black/white that comes into it.

My experience has been that most native whites in Texas will use the generic term "coke" to refer to a soft-drink...whereas most native black Texans will say "soda." And not trying to pump any sunshine up my own skirt, but my profession is teaching and -- given the nature of my job assignement -- a significant percentage of my co-workers/students are African-American. As it is to connect? I have actually done a few informal "surveys" on this one (cos that is type thing people like me do informally! LOL), and it pretty much confirms the same. To wit: Most black friends/students say "soda" and most whites say "coke".

But to interject two tantgental points?

For one, several have mentioned how the 'times are 'a changin" and the influence of the mass media and national mobility has had a tremendous impact on regional accent/dialect/idiom. A "something" that -- again, several have mentioned and I definitely agree with -- contains an element of sadness. In MHO, it is lamentable if the trend continues that all Americans begin to speak alike with that bland beta talk of talking news heads...

The other strays a bit more...but it is that some seem to misunderstand/misapply the real point of all this. That is, the "generic" term" for a soft drink being most popular in Texas/South... and interpret it as if it is the norm for those who, say, want a root beer...to call it a "coke."

At least the way I see it (which I know don't mean jack to joe), the point is that is generic in a broad sense. In other words, in our state/region, if someone asks the question "Do any of y'all want a coke?"...it is generally understood the meaning involves more than Coca-Cola. Also, if one goes into a grocery store and asks "What isles are the cokes on?" Then most native Texans take it to mean where can I find the soft-drinks. Or? If one goes into some joint and asks, "what kind of cokes do y'all have?" Then it is generally understood, the term includes all soft drinks. Soooo? The guy/gal behind the counter will say -- without hesitation -- something like "Coke, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Sprite, etc...." LOL

Fer gosh sakes, it doesn't mean that if one wants a 7-Up, that they ask for a coke in the sense it needs explained to them! LOL

[JJG]

So basically, when we have kids and they're about our age, then pretty much everyone will be saying "soda" instead of "Coke" to refer to all soft drinks?

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by JJG

So basically, when we have kids and they're about our age, then pretty much everyone will be saying "soda" instead of "Coke" to refer to all soft drinks?

I'd say that it is at least a consideration to be contemplated!

OR...perhaps it can be that -- in exchange -- the yankees will all be saying "y'all" instead of "you guys". LOL

Personally, I don't think it is a fair trade.

Our dialect/idiom is best...lyrically lovely and full of the traits of good story telling! Texas/South should keep being Texas/South in all ways!

[TXsurburbanmom]

Think of it as this, do you ask.for a Kleenex or a tissue? That's exactly how it started, Coke was big in the South and became synonymous with all soda for people of that era who then "passed" it down to future generations. On the other hand my Ex-SIL's mom said Pampers instead of diaper and it drove me nuts!

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by ddeel

Think of it as this, do you ask.for a Kleenex or a tissue? That's exactly how it started, Coke was big in the South and became synonymous with all soda for people of that era who then "passed" it down to future generations. On the other hand my Ex-SIL's mom said Pampers instead of diaper and it drove me nuts!

I don't think so. People tend to often use both Kleenex and Tissue. Myself say both pampers and diapers. However, I believe soda is the more popular word around Texas. Even at the grocery stores on the aisle markers; it says soda. You'd think otherwise looking at that map.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by ddeel

Think of it as this, do you ask.for a Kleenex or a tissue? That's exactly how it started, Coke was big in the South and became synonymous with all soda for people of that era who then "passed" it down to future generations. On the other hand my Ex-SIL's mom said Pampers instead of diaper and it drove me nuts!

Exactly. Also Xerox (which became such a problem that Xerox made an issue of it, IIRC). It's a pretty well-documented phenomenon. Even if you don't like the map that says that most people don't do it the way you do.