I grew up in a "pop vs. soda" battleground: Pennsylvania. In western Pennsylvania, where I was born and raised, we call carbonated soft drinks (can we agree on that terminology?) "pop." So I grew up calling it pop. But somewhere in the middle of the state, there exists a line. Once you cross that line, the overwhelming majority of people use the word "soda."
It's more than a dialectical difference - it's a real point of contention. I've butted heads with many friends from different parts of the state and country. And despite perpetual argument and name-calling, the "pop vs. soda" debate never gets anywhere. On both sides, we dig in our heels and claim that we're right.
Which is irritating to me, because "pop" is quite clearly correct.
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I've always thought of this epic battle as being between the word "pop" and the word "soda." It wasn't until I moved to Texas that I realized there is another dimension to the debate: "coke." And if eastern Pennsylvanians are amused and/or irritated by the use of the word "pop," Texans find it hilarious. I'm frequently the target of mockery ("Oh, you're gonna get a pop? Yeah, go get a pop." * snide laughter * ) and puzzled looks. I was equally puzzled when I was once asked when ordering Coke, "What kind of coke?" That only happened once, but I was so confused. I answered: "Regular?"
It has gotten to the point where I'm reluctant to use the word "pop" anymore. Now I tend to just use actual flavors, like Dr. Pepper or root beer or Mountain Dew. I feel persecuted. Although, I have bonded with fellow Northerners who call it "pop." We're a slim, oppressed minority down here in Texas.
I found the following map online (on this website) that breaks down how people refer to carbonated soft drinks across the country. I don't know how scientific the data is, considering it's just based on a free-for-all Internet survey, but the results seem about right. Regardless, it's just a really cool map.
This map shows that there is indeed a line right in the middle of Pennsylvania that separates the usage of "pop" and "soda." The same line exists in New York. What's most interesting is Alaska - "pop," "soda," and "coke" are all represented in the state. I'm curious to know how these seemingly arbitrary linguistic divides developed.
What do you call it where you're from? I won't judge...unless you call it "soda" or "coke," of course.
Now, On To The Top Comments!
A special thanks to this week's Top Comments contributors!
From bronte17:
angelajean shares a video on our methodology of education... it's a paradigm shifter... from the diary Marvin Does Time: Why a Kid Chose Jail Over School by xajaxsingerx.
From blue aardvark:
It's The Supreme Court Stupid wins the Internets with this response to kos announcing the return of Meteor Blades. Among the general rejoicing this was the best one.
From belinda ridgewood:
In Sara R's not-to-be-missed Kos Katalogue diary, kos himself stopped by with a compliment and then added a wry observation.
From yours truly, Chrislove:
In my diary about an Oklahoma preacher who blames gays for half of all urban murder and cites disease "statistics" from Canadian cities to argue against an Oklahoma City gay rights bill (which was a Top Comments goldmine), weatherdude made me chuckle with this one. I'll have to tell my Canadian friends that they're living in Murka's Hat. I also LOL'd at dalfireplug's comment in the same diary. I am the 39 to 59%. Oh, and who could forget oopsaDaisy's lawlz-inducing comment?
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