Red State/Blue State

The Pop Vs Soda Map

Is there some hidden message in our ideas about Red state/Blue state politics that the media analysts are missing? Whether you ask for “soda” or “pop” to quench your thirst tells a lot about your regional linguistics, according to an article published last year in the “Isthmus” a Madison, Wisconsin weekly newspaper. Written by a linguistics and philology PHD from University of Madison- Wisconsin, Luanne von Schneidemesser, who is also an editor for the Dictionary of American Regional English, the study reveals the complicated relationships involved in quenching your thirst.

• pop: dominates the Northwest, Great Plains and Midwest. The world ‘pop’ was introduced by Robert Southey, the British Poet Laureate (1774-1843), to whom we also owe the word ‘autobiography’, among others. In 1812, he wrote: A new manufactory of a nectar, between soda-water and ginger-beer, and called pop, because ‘pop goes the cork’ when it is drawn. Even though it was introduced by a Poet Laureate, the term ‘pop’ is considered unsophisticated by some, because it is onomatopaeic.

• soda: prevalent in the Northeast, greater Miami, the area in Missouri and Illinois surrounding St Louis and parts of northern California. ‘Soda’ derives from ‘soda-water’ (also called club soda, carbonated or sparkling water or seltzer). It’s produced by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in plain water, a procedure developed by Joseph Priestly in the latter half of the 18th century.

I remember that in Boston, working as a bartender in the 80’s, I had to be careful when people ordered a “tonic”, a term used generically for any bubbley drink, not to be confused with my favorite bubbley- champagne thank you! And here in Los Angeles, we order a soda, because pop is so obviously a fashion reference and not a soft drink!

And here is a sobering thought: Americans drink, on average 43 gallons of soft drinks every year! And here is a related “scary thought“, thanks to artist Chris Jordan’s, “Can Suerat”.

Thanks to Strange maps for this post info- that is why it is on my blogroll!

we can not go back now!

The Democratic Convention was great. We watched it on C-Span or PBS since the cable channels and networks were so terrible! How novel to be able to watch a speech and NOT have it interrupted by ads or being told what someone with an opinion to sell you has to say. Hilary and Bill made great speeches. And so did Biden, Kerry and Michelle. And Obama continues to amaze.

And how moving to have the convention on such an important anniversary for this country.

My mother, who passed away five years ago, was at the March Against Poverty in 1963. I grew up outside DC and remember that day well. When she came home, she knew she had seen history. I had wanted to go, but she was worried because of the reports that there would be rioting, and so had not taken the risk of having me with her. I remember she apologized for that, with great emotion for what she felt she had denied me, an experience of a lifetime. It made thinking about that this anniversary very moving for me, remembering my mother as well as seeing the outcome of Dr King’s dream, in Barack Obama’s nomination.

If Obama wins the presidency it will be a watershed moment for this country. A watershed “moment” that began in my lifetime, 40 odd years ago, with laws that LBJ signed in 1964 and 1965. Since that time, the Democratic Party has lost the South to the Republican Party in every national election. To the shame of Republicans, their party has proved to be all to happy to incite fear and loathing; of other races, other countries, other religions; just fill in the blank, anything to WIN. And I am sure they will go that way again to win this election.

My advice to all my friends: Turn off the TV (or switch to C-Span) and Get Active! This election was never going to be easy no matter who was our nominee, folks.

And like Obama says, we can not go back now!

this image from the great blog- wonkette

Geek Love

Do you love diagrams? I found this great one a few months ago and saved it. I can not remember where I found it, but likely it is from the NYT and their always great graphics department. If you subscribe to one paper, this is the one. Online they have great slide shows and videos from their reporters around the world as well as access to their editorials. But don’t forget to subscribe too. That is my geek love, the NYT! Subscriptions are especially important today in a world where large corporations are buying up newspapers and television stations, then destroying them. Besides their horrible news, Fox would have me running from their horrible graphics!