> [mailto:CONLANG@listserv.brown.edu] On Behalf Of Herman Miller
> The lack of a generic word for drinks in the Sprite / 7-Up /
Sierra Mist
> category in American English might seem a bit awkward (pause as
you scan
> the menu to see which brand this particular restaurant serves),
but it's
> not much different from "cola" in practice -- I'd typically order
a
> "Coke" or "Pepsi" (whichever is on the menu) rather than a "cola"
> (unless "cola" is part of the name, as in "Cricket Cola").
Yes, and if you ask for Dr. Pepper, you could end up finding out
they only have Mr. Pibb or some other strange name using "Dr." like
"Dr. Topper". These days you're also likely to see Mellow Yellow
instead of Mountain Dew.