OOO #58: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like
I thought I was more of a Fiona, regional differences, elevating the mundane, and mostly travel-related old news.
Outfits
Ohio
I still giggle (internally) anytime I hear an Ohioan refer to “soda” as “pop.” I love regional dialect differences and have taken The New York Times’s dialect quiz many, many times (all of my attempts all confirmed that I am in fact from New York). For example, last night, some of the Ohioans referred to Marshmallow Fluff as “mallow,'“ and the New Yorkers were definitely like “that’s not a thing we have ever heard of.”
But it’s the pop v. soda (v. Coke if you’re from the south) divide that has always amused me the most. I have nothing particularly profound to say about this topic, nor do I have the compulsion to argue that one term is correct while others are wrong (adults that do this confound me). That being said, this Instagram post from “@amandalthoe” did make me laugh.
After sending it to my Clevelander husband, I then, of course, decided to do a deeper dive into why different regions refer to the drink with different terms. This search led me to this article. I particularly liked the point that “‘Coke’ is used a lot in the Southeast, and not surprisingly, the research says that's because the Coca-Cola company is based in Atlanta.” The article even discusses the pop/soda use projection in the midwest in the future.
I then found the “Pop vs. Soda” map which has crowd sourced data. I was curious as to what the “Other” terms could be, so I went into their data set, and saw people naming terms like “soft drink,” “soda pop,” “fizzy drink,” “dope,” and even “phosphate.” There are also some excellent rants, some ads, inappropriate words no doubt written by teens, and at least one “Go Pats!” It’s worth a scroll.
Other Things I Like
Since I’ll be hibernating for the next few months, I decided to feature three upgrades to mundane things that have made my life (particularly indoor winter life) considerably better.
Laundry Basket
I hate laundry. And all chores. But right now I hate laundry the most because I have to do it today. I do, however, like doing laundry a little bit more after finding the “Curver Knit” laundry basket at the Container Store, I hate it a little less. The basket is way sturdier than your typical laundry basket—I cannot foresee any future in which this laundry basket rips—and is designed to look like a knit sweater (and we all know how I feel about sweaters). It is the opposite of an eyesore, and I hate laundry a little less now that I have it.
Nail Clippers
My best friend (hi, Marianna!) gifted me these nail clippers and said they were the best she had ever used. They are the smoothest, most effective, and least annoying pair of nail clippers that I have ever encountered, and I will NEVER use another type. If you’re in the market for new clippers, just buy these.
Olive Oil
Okay, olive oil is decidedly not mundane BUT I did recently upgrade our tasting olive oil recently to Laudemio after having it at Contrario in Rome and consequently thinking about it daily for six months afterward. Yes, it is a lot of money to spend on olive oil, BUT! it really is an upgrade from typical tasting olive oils in the grocery store. Drizzling it on toasted pumpernickel bread with some flaky salt paired with a vegetable soup is the simple perfection I need on cold winter days.
Old News
The New York Times released its annual “52 Places to Go” for 2024
“The Heart of it All” is a MUCH better motto than “Find it Here”
I struggle (this is a kind word) with the legacy of the British Royal Family, but Catherine’s style has been CLUTCH since receiving the title of Princess of Wales
That’s it! Have a great rest of your week!