Community Corner
Local Dialects: Soda or Pop? Sneakers or Tennis Shoes?
Regional dialect study shows some Southern influence in how Alexandria residents talk.
Do you drink soda, pop or a soft drink?
Do you put icing or frosting on a cake?
Sometimes it seems like no one is “from here”—the D.C. metro area is an area of immigrants from other parts of the United States.
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And when people move here, their regional dialects come with them.
Based on research by Joshua Katz at North Carolina State University, here’s a round-up of what people in Alexandria and the surrounding communities say:
Find out what's happening in West End Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Term Options Percentages Soda or pop? Soda 69 percent Pop 8.6 Coke 12.0 Soft drink 10.4 Frosting or icing? Frosting 28.6 percent Icing 20.2 Both 34.4 They are distinct items (icing is thinner) 16.8 Water fountain or drinking fountain? Water fountain 75.6 percent Drinking fountain 23.2 Bubbler 1.1 Rubber-soled shoes for athletic activities are called... Sneakers 57.4 percent Tennis shoes 34.9 Gym shoes 4.4 Other 3.3 What do you call groups of two or more people? You guys 31.6 percent You 21.5 Y'all 21.8 You all 25.2
You can look up many more regional dialect survey results here about what you might call dust bunnies, milkshakes, "you guys versus y'all" and more.
What say you, Alexandria? Tell us in the comments!
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