In the United Kingdom, the effervescent debate about what to call carbonated drinks continues to bubble. While Americans can open a can of ‘soda’, the British have their own vocabulary for these fizzy drinks. Across the pond, the term ‘soda’ is often replaced by ‘soft drink’, ‘pop’ or ‘coke’, regardless of the actual brand.
Different regions of the United Kingdom contribute to different terms being used. In Scotland, for example, a carbonated drink is often known as ‘ginger’, a term believed to have originated from ginger beer that was once sold in glass bottles. Northern England prefers ‘pop’, a word that mimics the sound of a cork being popped from a bottle. Meanwhile, ‘soft drink’ is a more widely understood term across the UK, which clearly describes the carbonation that defines these drinks.
Class connotations also play a role in terminology. Historically, in Britain, the term ‘soda water’ referred to carbonated water used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks, often associated with the middle and upper classes. Instead, working class people often use ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ when referring to sugary and flavored carbonated drinks.
