Dice
 
 
 
 
 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We were a Pepsi family. But we still called all of it 'coke.' 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We were a Pepsi family. But we still called all of it 'coke.' 

Pronunciation

[KOAK]

Meaning & Usage

- Any soft drink (regional use) (noun)

Mae:
What y’all want to drink?
Earl:
Get me a Coke.
Mae:
What kind?
Earl:
Orange.

- The Coca-Cola brand (noun, standard use)

Mae:
Pick up a six-pack of Coke.
Earl:
You want regular or Diet?
variations: soda pop soft drink cold drink Co-Cola (local pronunciation for Coca-Cola) all Coke is soda, but not all soda is Coke
★ In Southern talk, "Coke" doesn’t always mean Coca-Cola. You have to ask *"what kind?"* to know which soda they really want. ★

Origin and Etymology

Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886. The brand dominated the South so strongly that its name became shorthand for any soft drink in many communities. The generic use spread through family and local speech.

Usage Notes

Still common across the South and parts of Appalachia. Outsiders may be confused when "Coke" refers to Sprite, Dr Pepper, or Pepsi, but within the region it’s natural speech.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "koak." Often stretched a bit in Southern drawl: "Cohhhk."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Why do Southerners call all sodas "Coke"?
Because Coca-Cola’s dominance in the South made the name generic for soft drinks.
Do they really mean Coca-Cola?
Not always - you have to ask what kind.
Do other regions do this?
No - in the Midwest people usually say "pop," and in many other places it’s "soda."

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 4). Coke. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/coke
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Coke." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/coke.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Coke." HillbillySlang.com. September 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/coke.
advertisement...
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Words
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home