FOOD NEWS
Is There Any Real Difference Between Soda And Pop?
By Garth Clingingsmith
Soft drinks are known as “soda” in most of the country, and according to Minnesota Public Radio, it derived its name from soda fountains that became mainstream at the end of the 19th century. In the Midwest, it’s commonly called “pop” because of the noise it made when opening the original-style bottle.
There is no difference between soda and pop, other than where we grew up. Pop vs. Soda created an interactive map to chart soft drink dialects across the country, and its data shows that "soda" has a slight edge over "pop," with both outnumbering the people who refer to all brands and flavors as "coke," "cola," "tonic," or just "soft drinks."
Minnesota Public Radio tells us that most of the country was using "pop" 50 years ago, but the more people migrated, the more it fell out of favor. As that trend continues, you may want to know what your neighbors use to describe a sweet, bubbly refreshment, because no matter your favorite soft drink, it's always good to know how to order one.