Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects

Difference Between Soda and Pop

Soda and pop are the two general terms we use to better describe a carbonated beverage widely known as the coke. The dominant form used in the northeastern area is soda. It includes all of New York State except for the western, the Upper South and Mid-Atlantic states. The term soda is also heavily used in an area centered on St. Louis. Florida shows a concentration of soda as well, but since the communities are evenly divided between soda and coke, it is not entirely identified as soda dominant. Pop is predominant in the Midwest, extending over the Midland, the North, Canada and the northwest. The dominant forms are soda and pop, which account for over 80 percent of the population.

In the Midwestern, it’s always been pop and it always will be pop. They find soda a wrong term for the carbonated beverage because according to them, the only acceptable term for pop is pop. On the contrary, if you grew up in Southern California, it always has been soda for you and it always will be. But when you go to Missouri and ask for a soda, they look at you with a startled wide-eyed expression for about 10 seconds before saying, “Oh, you mean pop?” So, for you, it’s always soda and for them, it’s pop. So what do you call it – soda or pop?

 

What is Soda?

Soda is a general term used to describe a sweet, carbonated beverage or soft drink, type of a fizzy water often mixed with alcoholic drinks. The general names for the soft drinks in the United States vary according the different regions. Soda is one of the many regional terms for the carbonated beverage often used in the northeast, including the Mid-Atlantic States and the Upper South, extending southward to include eastern North Carolina. The term soda is also heavily concentrated in an area centered on St. Louis which is distinct from most Midland areas. In Atlanta, three of the four African-Americans prefer soda over coke or soft drink. Even in Columbia, two out of three African-Americans use soda as the general term. Soda is obviously the most widespread term compared to pop.

 

What is Pop?

Pop is yet another term used to describe a sweet, carbonated soft drink in the Midwest and Northwest dialect. Most of the Southerners, meanwhile, prefer the term ‘Coke’ over soda and pop, no matter the brand. Pop is predominant in the Midwest, extending over the Midland, the North, Canada and the northwest. It refers to a fizzy drink containing gaseous carbon-dioxide, commonly called soda pop in the United States. The name pop derived its name from the popping sound of the CO2 escaping when you remove the cork off the bottle…well, pop. Later some people referred to carbonated soft drinks as soda, while others simply called it pop. Soft drinks containing CO2 are called carbonated soft drinks, commonly referred to as CSDs. In West Virginia, it’s only called pop.

 

Difference between Soda and Pop

Name

– The great soda versus pop debate has been the most debatable topic at parties around the US. Americans are highly polarized and biased on the issue of what to call those sweet, carbonated soft drinks that everyone loves so dearly. The general names for the soft drinks in the United States vary according the different regions. Soda and pop are the two general terms used to describe a sweet, carbonated beverage or soft drink often mixed with alcoholic drinks. The name pop derived its name from the popping sound of the CO2 escaping when you remove the cork off the bottle.

Dominance

– Soda is one of the many regional terms for the carbonated beverage often used in the northeast, including the Mid-Atlantic States and the Upper South, extending southward to include eastern North Carolina. The term soda is also heavily concentrated in an area centered on St. Louis which is distinct from most Midland areas. Pop, on the other hand, is predominant in the Midwest, extending over the Midland, the North, Canada and the northwest. Most of the Southerners, meanwhile, prefer the term ‘Coke’ over soda and pop, no matter the brand. So, what do you call it – soda or pop – depends on the region you live in.

Soda vs. Pop: Comparison Chart

 

Summary of Soda vs. Pop

The name soda first used in the U.S. for carbonated soft drinks and apparently derived its name from the bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate) powder also used to make beverages fizzy. The dominant form used in the northeastern area is soda. It includes all of New York State except for the western, the Upper South and Mid-Atlantic states. Pop, on the other hand, derived its name from the popping sound that comes when you remove the cork off the bottle. Pop is predominant in the Midwest, extending over the Midland, the North, Canada and the northwest. So, to answer the million dollar question – what to call it, soda or pop? – it actually depends on the region you live. If you live in Southern California, it’s always soda, and if you grew up in Missouri, pop is the only way to say it.

 

Latest posts by Sagar Khillar (see all)

Sharing is caring!


Search DifferenceBetween.net :




Email This Post Email This Post : If you like this article or our site. Please spread the word. Share it with your friends/family.


3 Comments

  1. One major difference I realized: Soda can be used to reference soda water, or sparkling water, while in my opinion “Pop” infers that there is some sort of flavoring.
    If someone orders a Vodka soda, they will immediately get an unflavored soda water without question.
    If someone orders a Vodka pop, after a funny look, they’ll ask you what kind of pop do you want.

  2. I grew up in Western Kansas and have lived in California for over 30 years. I would make one minor distinction. I refer to “pop” when talking about going to the grocery store or gas station to get a 6 or 12 pack of beverage. However if I were in a car and driving, I would ask my companion if they wanted to “stop for a coke” as a fountain or single drink. Therefore pop is bulk purchase and coke is used for individual fountain, cans or bottles.

  3. In Missouri, it is actually soda in the eastern half, and pop in the western half.

Leave a Response

Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.

References :


[0]Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sodas.JPG

[1]Image credit: https://www.maxpixel.net/Beverage-Soda-Pop-Refreshment-Juice-Alcohol-Drink-211686

[2]Labov, William, et al. The Atlas of North American English: Phonetics, Phonology and Sound Change. Berlin, Germany: Walter de Gruyter, 2008. Print

[3]Shachman, Maurice. The Soft Drinks Companion: A Technical Handbook for the Beverage Industry. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2004. Print

[4]Gallagher, Caitlin. “It's Time We Address One of the Biggest Debates of All Time — Is It Soda or Is It Pop?” Popsugar, popsugar.com, 8 Aug 2019. https://www.popsugar.com/food/Soda-vs-Pop-Debate-46329095. Accessed 24 Sept 2019.

Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages.


See more about : ,
Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Finder