I was drinking a Pepsi last night. I offered a friend one, he said "sure I'll have a soda." I have always called it "pop"

He insisted that the proper term was "soda."

It began a conversation about diferent words for the same things. Then we started talking about how mundane and stupid our conversation had become.

So, what is it, Pop, soda, or soda pop?
[Edited 4/22/05 9:59am]

nobody uses soda or soda pop in England, as far as i know.

"pop" is hardly ever used anymore either, except when talking to very small children.

most people in the UK just refer to the brand name - coke, tango, pepsi, irn bru - whatever.

i call it soda

i grew up calling it pop

where i live now...everything is called a coke by the old timers

even an orange pop

ella731 said:

move on!

quit living in the past!

well, im from michigan, its always pop there...

here in kansas its pop...

but in florida, they looked at me crazy and swore it was called soda

go figure

pop

Growing up all the other kids called it soda, but my father said it was tonic

Old people called it soft drink

nakedpianoplayer said:

Here in Ontario, if you ask for a soda in a restaurant they look at you with a blank stare and their only reply is "what?'

They are all correct, but the usage tends to be regional. I usually say soda. Most Minnesotans would say pop.

TheFrogSpawn said:

CarrieMpls said:

I noticed that too. I usually say the brand name.

I call it bone weakening.

slm4m said:

When speaking of one particular soda, I think most people do. I only really use "soda" when speaking in the general sense. But it makes me think about how brand conscious we've become! Marketers are squeeling with glee somewhere.

cinnamonjo said:

omg, the one on the right is hawt!

What, down south like where i from New Orleans cll it COLD DRINK! Now i am confused, i just call it whatever.

CarrieMpls said:

Yeah, When I ask for Pepsi and the waiter says "We don't have Pepsi, is Coke okay?"
It reminds me of the SNL sketch with John Belushi.

Pop

Soda is just plain soda water IMO, Pop is a generic term for soda water with flavoring, IMO

Just my 2 cents, lol.

Tom said:

Ohioans

pop.

In the midwest (Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Minneapolis, etc) soft drinks are called pop. Soda is considered to be just carbonated water. If u were to go to a bar or restaurant and order a soda in the midwest, u would likely get a plain seltzer.

'pop' is totally midwestern. when i lived in new york, folks teased me when i would say i wanted some pop. the response would always be something like, "well, we have soda. will that do?"

POP!!!!
HA!!!
it's SOOOO POP!!!!

SammiJ said:

Right on, my lovely lady from Ontario!
[Edited 4/21/05 11:24am]

dreamfactory313 said:

woot!!

CANADA RAWKS!!!!!

pop here in western too

although you would order coke - meaning any either cola

In cali...it's Soda. U can't order a scotch and pop...it' scotch and soda...

BobGeorge909 said:

yeah but wouldn't a scotch and soda be soda water? I dunno.

here in the north east it's soda as a general term but my parents called it tonic when I was a kid...I think that's a Massachusetts thing..

Shorty said:

Yeah, u're right. But it sounded so clever. Cut me some slack.

I say "Soda"

My mom says..."Coke (when she means a Dr.Pepper)"& "pop"
My Dad says "soda water"
A friend of mine says "cola"