Hey! I’m glad you’re here! This post is part of a 31 Day writing challenge hosted by The Nester. During the month of October, I’m writing on Southern A Way of Life. I will be back to my ‘regular’ posts in November. Consider pushing that follow button to the right for all my latest posts. Thanks y’all!
Day 6
Coca Cola is a Southern staple. For some, it’s the drink of choice to wake up in the morning instead of coffee. Coca Cola was developed as a medicine in 1886 by Col. John Pemberton as a safer alternative to the morphine he was addicted to after being wounded in the Civil War. Carbonated water was later added to it. Today, the company’s headquarters are located in Georgia where the beverage was first developed, however, Coca Cola was first bottled in Vicksburg, MS at the Biedenharn Candy Company in 1891.
Southerners tend to use the word ‘coke’ to refer to any soft drink. Perhaps, the word became synonymous with all carbonated beverages because of brand loyalty or maybe the drink was the only available option for a long time. Other parts of the U.S. call soft drinks ‘soda’ or ‘pop’. Although others may think calling all carbonated drinks a ‘coke’ is silly, I think it’s a matter of linguistic preference and/or colloquial charm. No matter what you call it, in the South, Coca Cola is the real thing. I think you’ll find this statistical map of what different counties call this type of drink in the U.S. interesting. Click Pop vs Soda County Stats with percentages.
Did you miss yesterday’s post? You can find it here. To view all of the posts in this series, click here.
What kind of coke do you drink?
Blessings,
Mimi
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 NIV Bible
State of Hospitality 
I am SO glad you brought this up. SO GLAD. I mention this all the time {my Virginian husband does not understand that coke equals everything kind of “soda”}. I actually do prefer Coca Cola, but that’s how I roll too, Mimi!
You’re welcome Katie! I don’t know why they don’t get it?! ha!
In the middle west we drink pop. 🙂 and Coke is my favorite!
Hey Shannon! That’s what my mother in law calls it. She’s from Missouri but has lived in Wisconsin for a very long time.
I’m a fellow southerner and 31 Dayer, too. In South Carolina, we call it coke. My Dad is a yankee so I ended up calling soft drinks pop. My husband is from Massachusetts and calls it Soda. Love your southern series! I have lived in the South all but 4 years of my life, but my Southernness is a little suspect: I never acquired a taste for sweet tea!
Thanks! Sounds like y’all have covered all the bases. : )
I drink unsweet : )
I grew up calling all soft drinks pop, then I moved to Florida and everybody called it soda. So, for a while I called it soda pop – that way I could please everybody. For the most part, now, I just ask people if they’d like something to drink and I tell them their choices. For me, it is pretty much always the real deal coca-cola when I indulge. I try to drink a lot of water. I’m loving your series.
Thanks Teresa!