Community Corner
Local Dialects: Soda or Pop? Sneakers or Tennis Shoes?
Regional dialect study shows explores how Eldersburg residents talk.
Do you drink soda, pop or a soft drink?
Do you put icing or frosting on a cake?
In spite of the fact that many people living in Carroll County have a long family history here, there are also many who have moved here from other areas.
Find out what's happening in Eldersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 Eldersburg and the surrounding communities say:
Find out what's happening in Eldersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Term Options Percentages Soda or pop? Soda 79.4 percent Pop 7.4 Coke 8.4 Soft drink 4.8 Frosting or icing? Frosting 20.9 percent Icing 31 Both 33.5 They are distinct items (icing is thinner) 14.6 Water fountain or drinking fountain? Water fountain 82 percent Drinking fountain 16.1 Bubbler 1.9 Rubber-soled shoes for athletic activities are called... Tennis shoes 47.4 percent Sneakers 45 Gym shoes 2.5 Other 5 What do you call groups of two or more people? You guys 40.1 percent You 24.1 Y'all 18.3 You all 17.5
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.
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