[TheMole]

It should be mandatory for linguistic researchers to survey the 50 states and make a map such as the famed Pop Vs. Soda map. http://www.popvssoda.com/countystats/total-county.html

Such a map could definitively show the extent of Southron penetration. I grew up in Canada, where "pop" was not only invariably the generic term for sweet fizzy soft drinks, but was the only term known to exist for them. I found the use of "soda" and "coke" baffling at first. Even many years of U.S. experience later, the Pop Vs. Soda map explained a lot -- like that western New York State is actually culturally part of the Midwest, as is in a sense most of English-speaking Canada. These guys should have to produce a "Y'all" map if they want any more grants.

[chasio649]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/823956/posts

[Nita Nupress]

Cool map. I think the phrase "Y'ona coke?" is part of every Southerner's speech pattern.

[FreedomCalls]

What about "the sweet tea line"? This is the line south and east of which the restaurants always serve sweet tea (tea that has had the sugar dissolved in it while still hot) without you asking. In the border areas you have a choice and are asked. Far north and west of it you are only served regular tea and if you want it sweet you have to add your own sugar or Sweet 'n' Low.

The line seems to run through North Carolina, dips southward in Tennessee runs pretty much down the Mississippi. No proper sweet tea in Texas.

[Gondring]

The accent of central New York is very similar to the midwest, too. But that line is moving westward in NY.