Ok, so in reference to Lindsay’s discussion on Jinx–Here is a super cool, interesting, fascinating map on who in the country says pop/soda/coke/other (I originally saw this on Mental Floss like a year ago, and I probably think about it once a week–it is that relevant)
Go Here to see @ full size.
Notice how Iowa is solidly pop country, except for a tiny little area of soda–which I’m guessing is Iowa City. This really amuses me. And I really don’t get the coke section of the country–what do they think pop is? Kleenex?
My first experiences with this whole pop vs. soda thing occurred during family vacations when I was in fifth grade. The first was a trip to Washington, D.C. where we were staying with my mom’s cousins (who had the cutest little poodles; I watched Space Jam with them). I was asked if I wanted a soda–what? They were speaking gibberish. Then later, at a restaurant in Baltimore, I asked the waitress what kinds of pop they had. “Oh! Are you all from the midwest? I haven’t heard anyone ask for pop in forever!” (we learned that she was from the midwest–and herself a pop drinker.) A few months later, I found myself on the other side of the country sitting in front of Old Faithful while some teenagers behind me thought their awful Chicago accents were hilarious: “Yo, can I get me a soda-pop?” “hahaha” “Why do they say soda-pop, so weird.” um, soda-pop?? Have they been to Chicago? If I had been a more confident 11 year old I would have calmly turned around and said “Why excuse me, I would like to correct your misconception of the people of Chicago and the Midwest. We do not say soda-pop–that is silly–we say Pop. I accept your apology, and would suggest that you actually partake in the pleasure of visiting the wonderful city of Chicago, since by your inaccurate portrayal of Chicagoans, I can safely assume you have never been.” I didn’t say that though; I just fumed over my confusion. Where did this soda issue come from??!! Was I just deaf for the first eleven years of my life?!! Because I had been out of the Midwest many times; I had lived even lived a year in California! BUT I HAD NEVER HEARD ANYONE REFER TO POP AS SODA BEFORE! Yes, I love Welch’s Grape Soda, but soda is part of the name, not what it is–Grape soda is pop. Pop just sounds so much more bubbly and friendly. Of course since these vacations I have heard soda thrown out everywhere. Some of my friends have even converted to it–to my utter dismay (Sheila, I’m scowling at you! in a best friend sort of way). And sometimes I even hear “would you like a soda?” spoken in a voice that eerily sounds like mine. Soda is like a disease that I must resist! Viva la POP! yum, cherry coke.
amberj.
