coke

In much of the South and Appalachia, "Coke" can mean any kind of soda pop - not just Coca-Cola. Folks use it as a generic word for soft drinks, while outsiders expect it to mean only the brand.

#Appalachia #Food #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We were a Pepsi family. But we still called all of it 'coke.'

Pronunciation

[KOAK]

Meaning & Usage

- Any soft drink (regional use) (noun)

Mae:

What y’all want to drink?

Earl:

Get me a Coke.

Mae:

What kind?

Earl:

Orange.

- The Coca-Cola brand (noun, standard use)

Mae:

Pick up a six-pack of Coke.

Earl:

You want regular or Diet?

other spellings: soda, pop, soft drink, cold drink, Co-Cola (local pronunciation for Coca-Cola), and all Coke is soda, but not all soda is Coke

★ In Southern talk, "Coke" doesn’t always mean Coca-Cola. You have to ask *"what kind?"* to know which soda they really want. ★

Origin

Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886. The brand dominated the South so strongly that its name became shorthand for any soft drink in many communities. The generic use spread through family and local speech.

Notes

Still common across the South and parts of Appalachia. Outsiders may be confused when "Coke" refers to Sprite, Dr Pepper, or Pepsi, but within the region it’s natural speech.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "koak." Often stretched a bit in Southern drawl: "Cohhhk."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Why do Southerners call all sodas "Coke"?

Because Coca-Cola’s dominance in the South made the name generic for soft drinks.

Do they really mean Coca-Cola?

Not always - you have to ask what kind.

Do other regions do this?

No - in the Midwest people usually say "pop," and in many other places it’s "soda."