Saturday, May 13, 2006
Regional language differences
I had commented on Bob's blog regarding soda, pop, cola or coke, and just got to wondering about something. Is it a strictly southern thing to use a brand name as a generic catch-all? When I offer someone a coke, I don't necessarily mean Coca-cola, I would also be referring to Dr. Pepper, Sprite, etc. And we do it with other items. When we did the blog recipes, I had to make a concerted effort to use evaporated milk, instead of just saying Pet milk. In case that's a regional brand, PET milk is the main brand down here for evaporated milk. Growing up, it was the ONLY brand. Now most stores carry Carnation brand also, and sometimes generic. When giving my recipe for fudge, I don't say use sweetened condensed milk, I say use Eagle Brand. I ask for a Kleenex, not a tissue. I'm sure there are others, but it's such a part of every day speech, that I may not be aware that others don't use those words.
23 comments:
I'm just here for my rum and coke.
Though I wouldn't say no to some fudge, either.
Yup, I think you're right. I call those things: soda, evaporated milk & tissues. You southerners are weird. *rolls eyes*
I would say Eagle Brand and Kleenex. I say soda instead of Coke.
I also use Google as a verb as well as Tivo.
Now give me some fudge.
I'm fond of Captain Morgan's spiced rum, myself. Lots of ice and a squeeze of lime.
Merci.
Why is Bob begging for merci? Were you mean to her again, arkie?
We say "pop" up here.
Some people use "Hoover" as a verb. They are mostly old people who remember when the vacuum cleaner was new and exciting. Years from now, I'll be using "Swiffer" as a verb and my grandchildren will be rolling their eyes at me and blogging on their voice-activated computation devices about how those things are called BOMs or battery-operated mops and only old people say "Swiffer".
Incidentally, there is a branch of linguistics that wastes time drawing lines on maps to note the differences in language use that you have described. These are called "isogloss lines".
There is your useless fact for the day.
*looks all innocent and sweet*
I am never mean to Bob.
I say Coke, tissues, and crappy milk. *grin* Of course, there's also other stuff I use brand names for that I can't think of right now. And Bob? Jack and Coke is good too.
I usually specify what kind of soda I'm offering, never using a generic term for all of it. If I had to use a generic term, it would be "soda", not Coke.
I also never use the words "evaporated milk" because I've never used it for anything, and would therefore not have any reason to say it. *gag*
Hey, blogger ate my post! I know I commented on this already.
I say pop, evaporated mik, condensed milk... and kleenex.
I never say isogloss because it reminds me of my first husband, the absent-minded professor (of Linguistics).
Happy Mother's Day!
I say soda, evaporated milk and kleenex. I also use couch, not sofa or chesterfield. My kids mock me for using creme rinse, cause apparently the name has changed to conditioner. And when I need those little dish scrubbie pads I call them SOS pads, even though I have not seen that brand in years.
Happy Mothers' Day!
Oh- and I wear a kangaroo while the kids wear hoodies.
Happy Mothers Day
What happened to your hit counter? I was admiring it earlier and now it is gone!
I think Bob is my alcoholic beverage soulmate.
I say coke and hate it when they say is Pepsi alright. If I'd wanted Pepsi I'd asked for Pepsi. For the variety I say pop. I say Kleenex, couch, evaporated milk, condensed milk. I hate it when people say coat hangers. They aren't just for coats, you know? And for shits and giggles I refer to the tiny landing in front of a house as a stoop (got that from Grandma).
Kleenex, Tupperware/Rubbermaid, Band-Aid, Saran Wrap, Ziploc bag, Epsom salts, and Palm are just about the only brand names I use as the "common name" for items (on any kind of regular basis).
Oh, and Crock-pot.
Survey, I just wear a "hooded sweatshirt/shirt". This whole "hoodie" trend makes me feel funny.
Not just you my dear.
To this day my dad never calls them "jeans"...he's always puttin' on his "Levi's".
Good one MCatt, Levi's. And Kim they will always be Band-Aids.
I always call it Carnation milk and I always say Kleenex. I also call all window cleaners "Windex" no matter what brand it it. I also call all copy machines "Xerox" machines.
I'll never understand the Coke thing. So, if I'm at your house and you offer me a coke, what will I get?
To me it's a soft drink.
Looks nice! Awesome content. Good job guys.
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