Pop, Soda, or Coke?

http://www.popvssoda.com ^ | 12/21/04 | http://www.popvssoda.com

[yarddog]

It doesn't matter whether you or I consider it proper pronunciation, it is not.

I haven't gone to the effort of tracing the origins of the word but it probably derives from the same word which Fort or Fortress comes from. I also suspect the forte you describe, came from the same origin rather than all these springing from the sword term.

All you have to do is look it up in any dictionary and the pronunciation is given regardless of the origin.

[bonfire]

For me, soda is something you bake with!

[LexBaird]

All you have to do is look it up in any dictionary and the pronunciation is given regardless of the origin.

The first dictionary I checked says you are incorrect.

Meaning of FORTE
Pronunciation: 'fortey
WordNet Dictionary
Definition:
[n]  the stronger part of a sword blade between the hilt and the foible
[n]  (music) with great loudness
[n]  an asset of special worth or utility; "cooking is his forte"
[adv]  used as a direction in music; to be played relatively loudly
[adj]  used chiefly as a direction or description in music; "the forte passages in the composition"
 

[yarddog]

Well I guess I shouldn't have said "any dictionary" since you apparently have found one which gives that pronunciation, but I checked four which I have in my house and none of them give any other pronunciatio than "fort" for a person's strong point.

These include the Oxford and Random House dictionaries.

[Ryan Spock]

Interestingly, the dictionary.com definition felt so strongly about the controversy, they included the following note at the entry for "forte":

Usage Note: The word forte, coming from French fort, should properly be pronounced with one syllable, like the English word fort. Common usage, however, prefers the two-syllable pronunciation, (for-tay), which has been influenced possibly by the music term forte borrowed from Italian. In a recent survey a strong majority of the Usage Panel, 74 percent, preferred the two-syllable pronunciation. The result is a delicate situation; speakers who are aware of the origin of the word may wish to continue to pronounce it as one syllable but at an increasing risk of puzzling their listeners.

[Dan from Michigan]

It's always "pop" here. A coke here refers to the brand name only.

[Ryan Spock]

Dust mites

Dust mites? You know, dust mites are the little critters in house dust that cause a lot of allergy problems for people. I've never heard that used as an alternative term for "dust bunnies".

[AnAmericanMother]

My grandmother always said that, and my mother as well. I think it's a mis-speak for "dust motes".

. . . although she would never have admitted it. < g >

[Dan from Michigan]

Here's another one...what do you call $1 bills? Ones? Singles?

A bunch of them is a "Michigan bankroll".
I call them singles usually. I've heard ones as well.

[yarddog]

Thanks for the information.

[erikm88]

I thought the carpet "sweeper" was called a hokey.. or a hoakie???

--erik

[LexBaird]

Well, there you have it. You say tomatoe, I say tahmahto. Luckily, English doesn't have language cops, like the French. Usage evolves, or we would still be pronouncing all those extra letters in plough, ache, and Worcestershire sauce.

[steve86]

I believe all the sofa/couch/davenport/divan terms are specific -- but I don't know the differences.

I don't either but I remember as a kid one living room had both a davenport and a couch -- everyone knew which was which. I can remember where each was placed but not really the appearances.

[MasonGal]

I sure do.

[llevrok]

when I lived in NY City area
a purse was a pocket book
a sack was a bag UNLESS someone was called a sack of sh*t
a pop was a soda
coffee regular was not black coffee
Hero, sub and hoagie. Not to mention a grinder.
Dump trucks were all Macks.

[alpha-8-25-02]

TOO FUNNY!
I left that serpents den of the unholy alliance between the unions,church and the demecratic party in 1974 and have not been back.
my mom still loves me though.
merry christmas!
GODBLESS YOU AND YOURS!

[llevrok]

In South Philly at Pat's King of Steaks (home of the..), it is cheeze, widt.

http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/

[Texas Songwriter]

I wish a coke was still cola and a joint was a bad place to be..............Merle Haggard

[AuH2ORepublican]

Merry Christmas to you all as well.

[Inyokern]

I'll bet you stop by Graeter's on your way to the pony keg.