Consider the humble soft drink. A well-known 1996 study by linguists at the University of Wisconsin inspired a now-famous map illustrating the regional divide: in the Northwest and Midwest, people say “pop”; on the East and West Coasts, it’s “soda”; and across the South, it’s simply “coke” – regardless of the brand.

I can vouch for that last one. Growing up in Southeast Texas in the 1970s and ’80s, we called every dark, fizzy drink a “coke.” If it was clear, we might have called it “sprite.”

GUIDE: Houston's best barbecue joints

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

There’s also an age factor involved. In an earlier era when there were fewer choices, using a catchall term made sense. Nowadays, with dozens or even........

© Houston Chronicle