In my first few weeks here at Ouachita, I have noticed a group of people that is vastly under-represented on campus: those of us who say “pop” and not “soda” or “coke.” For starters, I was under the impression that “soda” was a northern fad, not something that could be found in the heart of Dixieland.
Emily Knocke, a freshman from Wichita, Kan., and whose mother is from Wisconsin, says, “My mom has always said ‘soda’ because people in Wisconsin say that.”
When I first heard a friend from the Dallas area say “soda,” I was totally thrown off guard, as was she when I countered with “pop.” I understand that this is the South and it’s a cultural thing to say “coke,” but that would make for a very boring opinion article if all I wrote about was compromise and recited the lyrics, “Why can’t we be friends?”
So, this leaves us with the question: who is right? Obviously, each group thinks they are correct and obviously, two of said groups are dead wrong. I’m here to set “y’all” straight.
Dr. Matt Douglass of the International Studies department and fellow Kansan put it this way: “Coke is ambiguous. Soda just sounds juvenile.”
Very interesting points, Dr. Douglass. He also pointed out that “soda” is “inaccurate, because ‘soda’ is actually short for ‘soda water.’”
This got me thinking. Like any good student who is stumped, I Googled it. Soda water, also known as carbonated water, club soda, seltzer water, etc., is simply a pop without the syrup flavoring. If anyone has ever walked up to the fountain drink machine in the cafeteria or at Chick-Fil-A, put your cup underneath the Dr Pepper and only received a light-caramel colored liquid that pales in comparison to actual Dr Pepper, then you have fallen victim to soda water, especially if you drink it. But what about on a Mr. Pibb can, where it says, “Artificially flavored spicy cherry soda,” you ask? Again, “flavored soda” is simply a pop.
That leaves us with coke. To me, and billions of people world-wide, “Coca-Cola” and “Coke” are interchangeable. “That’s ridiculous!” quips Knocke.
“’Coke’ is a brand, not soda as a whole. It doesn’t describe it at all.” Mountain Dew and Coke are not the same thing. Pepsi and Coke are not the same thing. Why label them all as coke when they are not that? The logic is not there.”
The final argument for the good fight of pop, to quote Dr. Douglass, is that “no matter where you are, everyone will know exactly what you’re talking about.” If someone were to ask me what kind of coke I wanted, I would think my choices were regular or diet. If someone were to ask me what kind of pop I wanted, I would know that my choices were endless, and that I could order Coke or even orange Fanta if I was feeling adventurous. When Sweet Brown famously said, “Well, I woke up to go get me a cold pop, and then I thought somebody was barbecuin’,” no one thought she meant a popsicle.
No one thought she meant some kind of sick treat of cold popcorn. No one thought she meant popping bubble wrap in 12 degree weather, either. Everyone knew she was talking about a pop, a carbonated beverage.
Pop is easy to spell, easy to say and better than the alternatives since forever. I rest my case.
