Growing up in Iowa, the rules of refreshment were clear. If you went to a graduation party, a backyard barbecue, or a football tailgate, you drank pop. It didn't matter if it was a can of Pepsi or a Dr. Pepper, everything was "pop". It's the linguistic badge of honor for the entire Midwest.
But I have a confession to make, fellow Midwesterners. I am a fan of calling it soda, and I think the rest of the country should finally agree to make it the standard.
Hear me out before you revoke my Iowa card. Here is why "soda" reigns supreme over "pop" and the equally confusing Southern habit of calling everything "coke."
1. "Pop" is an Onomatopoeia, Not a Beverage
According to linguistic history, the term "pop" came about because of the physical sound early bottled soft drinks made when the cork or internal glass ball was pushed down to open them. While it’s a fun piece of history, naming a liquid after an acoustic sound effect feels a bit juvenile. We don't call potato chips "crunches" or seltzers "fizzes." "Pop" describes an action, not the substance you are actually drinking.
2. "Coke" Belongs to a Brand, Not a Category
If you travel down South, you quickly encounter the most chaotic linguistic habit of all: calling every single carbonated beverage a "coke," lowercase intended. You can walk into a diner in Georgia, ask for a "Coke," and the server will calmly respond, "What kind? Sprite, Dr. Pepper, or Root Beer?"
While Coca-Cola's deep historical roots in Atlanta explain how this generic trademark happened, it defies all logic. A Sprite is definitively not a Coke. Calling a clear, lemon lime drink by the name of a dark, cola flavored mega brand creates unnecessary confusion. It’s like calling every car a Ford or every dog a Poodle.
3. "Soda" is Rooted in Science and Sophistication
"Soda" is actually shorthand for the historical term "bicarbonate of soda," which was used to carbonate the very first fizzy drinks back in the days of old school drugstores and ice cream parlors.
When you order a "soda," it just sounds cleaner and more precise. It evokes the classic imagery of a vintage soda fountain rather than a carbonated explosion in the back of a sedan. Choosing the word "soda" isn't about abandoning my roots; it's about embracing a term that means exactly what it is, universally understood from coast to coast.
I will always love Iowa, the kindness of Midwestern people, and the comfort of a small town grocery store. But the next time I want a crisp, bubbly refreshment, I'll be asking for a soda and I'm not looking back. What about you? If you grew up in a different state, what did your family call it?
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