Pop, Soda or Coke? 11 Maps Show How Differently Americans Speak

IJReview ^ | July 3, 2014

[NYer]

Is it y’all or you guys? Pop or soda? Freeway or highway? How you answer can reveal which part of the United States you call home.

These 11 maps, researched by N.C. State Professor Joshua Katz, show that we are a nation divided over terminology from desserts to the weather. In honor of our national Independence Day, we thought we’d take a look:

As you can see, we are a nation of diversity, which can be both good and bad. Too often, we become too focused on our population’s political divide and the hate-filled rhetoric that comes from both sides.

However, this week as we celebrate America’s independence, let’s give thanks that we are able to have these disagreements and focus on the liberty and freedom we all share.

[mass55th]

I grew up in Rochester, NY, and we called it pop. When I moved to the Utica, NY area just 2 hours east on the Thruway, I discovered they called it soda.

[Oatka]

“Jeet?’
“No, jew?’

Translation (heard abord ship in the 1950’s navy.) Dunno where these guys were from.

Translation:
“Did you eat?” (last call for mess)
“No, did you?”

[RegulatorCountry]

There are regional variants of that. Here, it’s “Jeetchet? Gnaw, jew? Whirs mamanem?”

[wildbill]

There is an encyclopedic book called the Dictionary of American Slang which is very interesting as it details many such differences and lots of unique words and phrases that are indigenous to local areas or regions.

Several years ago I had the honor of adding a couple of phrases from my Texas/Southern background. You can contact the editors and make suggestions.

[COBOL2Java]

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a radio announcer, and I took speech classes that trained me on how to have a “radio” voice. Now, I pretty much sound like I came from...nowhere in particular. My sisters, however, sound exactly like that “How to Talk Like a New Yorker” guide.

[COBOL2Java]

In most of the US, if several people wish to buy a ticket at a ticket window, they wait in line. But in New York, they seem to wait ON line.

Funny you should say that. It's how I remember my mom telling us kids. "Dad'll go park the car, and we'll go wait on line to get the movie tickets..."

[Iron Munro]

That's because they talk funny in NY.

That's because they TAWK funny in NY.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Oh! Yeah! “bubbler”!!! Forgot about that one. Used to crack me up!

[rwa265]

This is a hugh problem. I’m series.

[Ditter]

In Texas every time it was raining and the sun was shining at the same time some one said “the devil is beating his wife”!

We always said Coke no matter which brand we wanted. That’s Texas ya’ll!

[rwa265]

Speaking of RC, I wonder if they still make Diet Rite.

[Iron Munro]

Speaking of RC, I wonder if they still make Diet Rite.

Yep - I've seen it in different stores around town.

They have tweaked the name and package design but it's still out there.

See this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Diet-Rite-Pure-Zero-Diet-Cola-Soda-12-oz-24pk/10293753

[Ditter]

Tha’s funny rite ther!

My husband who is 79 years old still refers to his family as “mamanem”

To those of you who don’t understand it means “mama and them”. :)

[rwa265]

I guess that’s because they’re hoosiers and not heesiers.

[Alas Babylon!]

That's very interesting. Officially, Appalachia has its Southern terminus in my Alabama county. Elmore county, Alabama, between Montgomery and Auburn Alabama. That's for government purposes; there is a group known as the Appalachian Regional Commission, who I've done work for (teaching adults). Poor people from my county could apply to them for grants, people in Montgomery county could not.

I really think it culturally ends far up North from my county, say up by Ft Payne or Anniston.

[heylady]

Nightstand

[RegulatorCountry]

You got your antonyms, synonyms and yer mamanems. Mamanems trump all.

[rwa265]

Most of them around me are six, eight, or ten lane.

[Ditter]

Yep, don’t cross mama!

[rwa265]

What’s the capital of Alaska.
Juneau.
No, I don’t know, that’s why I asked you.