What do they call soda in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, people primarily call soda "pop," a common term in the Midwest, though some might also say "soda," with "pop" being the distinctive regional preference often associated with Minnesotan dialect, along with phrases like "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck".

What is the Midwest slang for soda?

Midwesterners most commonly call soft drinks "pop," a term that's a classic regional marker, though some areas might use "soda," with "Coke" used generically in the South, creating distinct U.S. linguistic zones for the carbonated beverage. The preference for "pop" is linked to the sound of old bottles opening and the influence of regional bottling companies like Faygo Beverages.
 

What is the slang word for soda?

Soda slang varies regionally in the US, with "pop" common in the Midwest/North, "Coke" used generically in the South, and "soda" prevalent on the coasts, while older terms include "tonic" (New England) and "soda water," and current slang might use "fridge cigarette" for an ice-cold one.
 

What drink is Minnesota known for?

One thing's for sure: the Bootleg is deeply imbedded in Twin Cities culinary culture. These days, the Bootleg is a best-selling drink made from very simple ingredients: vodka, citrus and fresh mint.

What is soda called in each state?

Different US states use various terms for carbonated drinks, with "soda" common in the Northeast, California, and pockets of the Midwest (St. Louis, Milwaukee); "pop" prevalent in the Midwest and Northwest (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois); and "Coke" (as a generic term for any flavor) used across the South (Georgia, Alabama, Texas). Other terms like "soft drink" or even "tonic" (in Boston) are used in smaller areas, highlighting regional dialect differences.
 

5 January 2026

Do Minnesotans call it pop or soda?

Minnesotans overwhelmingly say "pop" for carbonated soft drinks, a common term throughout the Midwest, though some residents, especially those new to the state or with ties to other regions, might use "soda," but "pop" remains the dominant and characteristic choice in Minnesota. 

Why is soda called pop in the Midwest?

Midwesterners call soda "pop" because of the onomatopoeic sound the carbonated drink made when its bottle cap or cork was opened, a common occurrence with early bottled beverages in the region, differing from the East Coast's soda fountains; the term "pop" likely stems from the phrase "pop goes the cork" or just the fizzing sound itself. While the exact origin is debated, it became popular in the Midwest, possibly spread by local bottlers like Faygo, and contrasts with "soda" in the Northeast/West and "Coke" in the South.
 

What is Minnesota's favorite soda?

Washington and New Hampshire each favor a different iced tea—Arizona and Lipton, respectively—while Minnesotans have a particular fondness for 7Up. Lastly, Iowans prefer the comforting classic, A&W Root Beer.

What is Minnesota state drink?

Minnesota's official state drink is Milk, designated in 1984 to celebrate the state's strong dairy industry, although popular local favorites like the Bootlegger cocktail also exist. 

What is the Minnesota drink?

Combine lemonade, limeade, and chopped mint in a blender and blend. Add simple syrup and blend more. This is now your homemade bootlegger mix. To make the drink, fill a tall glass with ice and add 2 parts booze, 2 parts of your bootleg mix, and 2 parts sparkling water or club soda to top it off.

What do northerners call soda?

People in the Midwestern U.S. drink “pop,” while on the East Coast the same drink is called “soda.” Some people born and raised in the South are known to call all soft drinks “Coke,” regardless of which brand or flavor they're referring to.

What is Gen Z's favorite soda?

According to a new survey, which included 6,450 Gen Zers, Dr Pepper was reported as the number one beverage brand.

What is a fancy word for coke?

Cocaine goes by many street names, including "blow," "coke," "snow," and "rock." Other slang terms like "nose candy," "toot," and "gravel" can refer to different forms of the drug or mixtures with substances like PCP or marijuana.

What is the #1 unhealthiest soda?

There's no single "unhealthiest" soda, as most are equally bad, packed with sugar (often high-fructose corn syrup), caramel coloring, phosphoric acid, and caffeine, contributing to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay; however, Mountain Dew is often cited for extreme acidity, while Fanta and Crush Pineapple have extremely high sugar counts, and regular Coke/Pepsi are notorious for sugar and caramel coloring, making all sugary sodas top contenders for unhealthiest.
 

What soda is Wisconsin known for?

Jolly Good Soda is a beloved craft soda brand known for its bold flavors and vibrant cans. Originally from Wisconsin, Jolly Good has been bringing smiles and refreshing tastes to soda lovers for decades.

What else can you call soda?

There are also some places where you'd call soda "pop," a "soft drink," or "Coke" instead. While you may think of soda as something you order to drink at a restaurant, soda is also used for unflavored carbonated water, or seltzer, and for baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate.

Does Minnesota say soda?

According to the map in Appendix A, the term “pop” is used more frequently in Minnesota, but in Wisconsin, the usage of the term seems to be more prevalent in the western side of the state, whereas the usage of the term “soda” remains dominant in the eastern side of Wisconsin.

What is the most Minnesota phrase?

You Betcha!

This is one of the most stereotypical Minnesota phrases which leads one to wonder what is the meaning of the phrase you Betcha. The meaning of You Betcha is “Absolutely!” or “You can count on that.”

What is Minnesota's state snack?

Minnesota doesn't have one single official state snack, but the Blueberry Muffin is the official state muffin (a popular snack!), while popular unofficial treats often include Wild Rice (grain), Old Dutch Potato Chips, Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies, Juicy Lucy burgers, and State Fair novelties like fried cheese curds. 

What soda was invented in Minnesota?

Spring Grove's soda was invented by the town pharmacist, in the tradition of drug-store soda counters, and several of their flavors, the cream soda, root beer, strawberry, and sour, are made with the original recipes debuted in 1895.

What is Minnesota's signature dish?

Minnesota's signature foods include the cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy burger, hearty Tater Tot Hotdish, official state grain Wild Rice, Norwegian flatbread Lefse, and fresh Walleye. The iconic Bundt cake was popularized by a Minnesota company, while the Honeycrisp apple, bred in the state, also stands out.
 

Do Midwest people say soda or pop?

"Pop" is most commonly associated with the Midwest and in most of the West, including the Mountain West and the Pacific Northwest.

What do they call soda in Chicago?

In Chicago and the broader Midwest, people most commonly call soda "pop," although "soda" is also used, with "pop" being a strong regional identifier, especially for long-time residents. While some people might use "soda" or even "soda pop," "pop" is the quintessential term in the area, contrasting with the East Coast's "soda" and the South's tendency to call everything "Coke". 

What state drinks the most soda?

While different studies show slight variations, Missouri often ranks as the state with the highest per capita sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) purchases, followed by Midwestern neighbors like Iowa, while Hawaii frequently leads in the percentage of residents drinking soda daily, with high rates in southern states like Arkansas and Wyoming also noted. These top states generally reflect higher rates of daily consumption, though some data points focus on total purchases versus percentage of population. 

Is squirt soda a Midwest thing?

Squirt was created by Herb Bishop in 1938. Squirt was manufactured in the Beet Sugar Factory in Glendale, Arizona until 1981. In 1941, a little boy mascot known as "Lil' Squirt" was created for marketing the product. Squirt became a popular soft drink in many parts of the country, especially the West and Southwest.