Do You Ask for Pop or Soda?

I grew up in the Finger Lakes area, and when I asked for a soft drink, it was referred to as 'Pop' or sometimes 'Soda-Pop.'

However, when I moved to Binghamton, whenever I asked for a 'Pop', I got strange looks, as if asking to get popped in the head or something like that. I also thought there was a 'P' in Binghamton, but it only took one time to correct me, and I never forgot that correction again. Anyway, I was quickly corrected that a carbonated beverage is referred to as 'Soda' in these parts. Being defiant as I am, I resisted for a while, but the force was too strong here in the Southern Tier, so unfortunately, I now refer to the drink as Soda.

I did a little research, since becoming obsessed with the topic, and determined that once you go past the valley area of Waverly and Sayre, and through the remainder of Western New York the drink is called Pop. Areas of Pennsylvania also refer to Pop. Soda wins most of the New England States and California, while Pop dominates several of the upper United States, from Ohio to Oregon.

Now, if you are in the South, do not ask for at Pop or Soda. Otherwise, you will get the look. It's referred to as Coke in the South. Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. Whatever you call it, is fine with me. I'm over it, but whenever I go home to visit, it's nice to take a sip of an ice cold Pop.