Any carbonated beverage is referred to as soda. But there are regional differences in the US; one poster above refers to pop, which is used in the midwest. When I moved to Boston, I was confused because people called it tonic.

To further confuse things, there is also soda water and tonic as specific varieties. But in the parts of the US where one would call all carbonated beverages soda, people usually mean drinks such as Coke, as opposed to soda water.

Ah, thank Nikki makes sense, I think of Soda as being carbonated tap water so all the sugary issues made no sense to me.

You will find some French drinking both white and red with carbonated water added.

Bilboburglar, what do people call sweet carbonated beverages where you live? Are you in the UK?

Fizzy drink - A carbonated beverage, typically a soda like Coca-Cola. Beware that in Britain “lemonade” refers to citrus-based carbonated beverages like Sprite or 7-Up. If you want American-style lemonade, ask for “still lemonade” or “flat lemonade”.

<i>But there are regional differences in the US; one poster above refers to pop, which is used in the midwest. When I moved to Boston, I was confused because people called it tonic.</i>

And in much of the South, all such drinks are referred to as Coke, so when you order a "Coke", you will be asked, "which kind?" It is perfectly acceptable to then answer, "Sprite". Under very few, if any circumstances, however, would it be acceptable to answer "Pepsi".

Tonic is fading out of use in Boston, though it still has its pockets, particularly in the sort of neighborhoods where you might buy it at the "spa".

This map shows the distribution of the various names in the US:

http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/200...p-vs-soda-map/

Yes to Uk, no idea as the idea of drinking fizzy sweet drinks does not have any interest to me. I had Pepsi once in Dominican Republic; never had Coke. I guess we would call them a "a fizzy drink", "a coke", "a lemonade" etc though I'm sure the kids call it something else.

I think a great man once said that the saddest question was "red or white?".

if you ask for a "lillet" in the UK, you'll get some funny looks [especially if you're a bloke] and may be directed to the nearest chemist! [google it to find out why!]

I see plenty of people drinking Coca-Cola with their meals in Parisian restaurants. Most but not all are tourists, but the main point is that if I wanted to drink Coke with a meal in Paris, it would not bother me one bit to order it (and it wouldn't bother the waiter or the other customers either).

Yes, you never hear tonic ANYMORE used in Boston but economics has forced us, Bostonians who lived downtown out and so it's populated with people who have migrated or could afford , but
you might still hear tonic in some districts like South Boston, though that is now changing and becoming an
affordable area (not for long1)

But can you still buy that tonic in Boston at the corner spa? I haven't noticed any of those in a long time.

I'm not sure I've seen a "spa" in Boston recently, but there are definitely still a few in Somerville, in the Winter Hill neighborhood. I think I've seen a couple in Medford, too.

You can certainly, however, still buy your tonic at the packie.

To avoid any confusion, when ordering non-alcoholic drinks here in France, it would probably be best to refer to the brand name. One slight difference is coca-cola, which is always just called "coca".

Roger

http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr

Where is ShariB?

travelgourmet...I, as a Quincy (kwinzee)native, must inform you that it's "Med-fidd", as in New Bedfidd, and it's also Wistah, Hahvidd and Summahville....(of course I've been a Californian for the past 52 years...so what do I know!(I sure miss my tonic, though!)

stu

shariB

I normally drink water, and occasionally a glass of wine while in Europe. On my last visit I noticed that a few restaurants served carafe d'eau in a truly nice bottle or pitcher (serving as a carafe)...we too are going to be in Burgundy this fall, where we haven't been in many years...you can bet that we'll visit several wineries. Enjoy your trip, and set aside your tee-totalling concerns!

stu

<i>"Med-fidd", as in New Bedfidd, and it's also Wistah, Hahvidd and Summahville</i>

Well, how else would one pronounce those places?

I've actually lived in Medford, Somerville, and Quincy in my day. Before moving to Europe, I most recently lived on Beacon Hill. I would think moving from Boston to Europe involves less culture shock than moving to California. :)

tg
<i>Well, how else would one pronounce those places?</i>

spoken like a true Brahmin...you're correct about moving from NE to California...even in 1957..but the shock only lasted a few weeks...quickly integrated, along with wife and our little ones ...(have also since been to "Cuber" and "Africer")
Whereabouts in Quinzy? I was born and brought up in the Point, between Quinzy "Squay-ah" and the "ship-yahd".
stu

tower - I lived a couple of blocks from Wollaston Beach. I really enjoyed living there. A real nice change from Medford/Somerville, especially during the summer - at least 10 degrees cooler.

tg
(we continue our hi-jacking...you made me do it!)
my parents later lived on Beal Street, not where it reached the beach, but just beyond Hancock. You rang my nostalgia bell, and made me hark back to my childhood when Wollaston Beach was the favorite local venue for all Quincyites during summer. The original Howard Johnson's was at the beach. He lived in Milton. After an army hitch I went to Emerson College and to BU for grad degree. My oldest granddaughter graduated Emerson in '05...and just got married to another Emersonian this past weekend, here in wine country (Santa Ynez). She loved her four years in Boston and ran the marathon three times...one of which we watched. BTW, Quincy, c.1904, appears in one of my recent books. The research was fascinating and iluminating.

stu

Okay, so we'll order a carafe d'eau with our meals, and we'll plan on visiting a winery or two in Burgundy. When I said "soda" I meant a soft drink. We're from Ohio and generally say "pop", but I thought "soda" was more widely known. We'll stop into a supermarket and pick up a few "coca" to keep on hand at the apartment. Thanks all for your comments!