Map of the United States showing which is the most common word used for soft drinks: pop, soda, or coke.

I've lived in the south most of my life and I've heard this point many times. I have never noticed anyone referring to soft drinks as "coke" unless they were referring particularly to Coke. I've heard soft-drink, cola, and mostly a reference to a specific brand, Sprite, Dr Pepper, etc.

Is it just me?

Yes willhelm...it's just you. :~) I've lived in Florida for over 50 yrs. *:~(* and every time I've order a soft drink I say "coke". Or maybe I should say that they correct me and say 'all we have is Pepsi'.

So maybe you're not wrong! (who wants Sprite or Dr. Pepper?)

I have lived my entire life in the south as well and I rarely hear anyone refer to soda as coke unless they are asking for it brand specifically. When I do hear soda referred to generically as coke it is usually elderly people or hicks (not trying to insult that's just how it breaks down). Honestly I hear pop more than you would think, but I guess we do get all the northerners retiring here so I suppose it kinda makes sense.

Oh no!! I'm 'elderly' and a 'hick'!!!! When I lived in W.Va. as a child, everything was called 'pop'. :~(

Not offended; probably the truth.

I'd call the map accurate for the Milwaukee area. Seldom do I hear "pop", and a coke is almost always a Coke. While it used to be "soda water" for some, soda is the dominant term as shown.

While I have heard mention that a few locales use the term, bubbler is the local term most natives use for a drinking fountain and it is usually associated with Milwaukee.

pop

Wisconsin, that is.

coke - Most people use coke as a generic term for soda. I can remember when I was a kid, lots of people used the term soda-water now that really sounds hick does it not? The map is right on in my locale.

Coke, for everything.

Around here when someone asks you what kind of coke you want, that would include pretty much any non-alcoholic carbonated beverage and sometimes some that aren't

Another national difference I have noticed is tea. If you order tea with a meal here they might ask you sweetened or unsweetened and your tea will arrive in a tall glass on ice. If you want hot tea you must specify that when ordering. I made the mistake of ordering tea with a meal up north once and they brought me a cup of hot water and a tea bag.