Latest news with #Vika
UPI
01-07-2025
- Health
- UPI
Pop, soda or coke? The fizzy history behind a linguistic debate
The word you use generally boils down to where you're from: Midwesterners enjoy a good pop, while soda is tops in the North and far West. Southerners, long the cultural mavericks, don't bat an eyelash asking for coke -– lowercase. Photo by Vika_Glitter/ Pixabay With burgers sizzling and classic rock thumping, many Americans revel in summer cookouts -- at least until that wayward cousin asks for a "pop" in soda country, or even worse, a "coke" when they actually want a Sprite. Few American linguistic debates have bubbled quite as long and effervescently as the one over whether a generic soft drink should be called a soda, pop or coke. The word you use generally boils down to where you're from: Midwesterners enjoy a good pop, while soda is tops in the North and far West. Southerners, long the cultural mavericks, don't bat an eyelash asking for coke -- lowercase -- before homing in on exactly the type they want: Perhaps a root beer or a Coke, uppercase. As a linguist who studies American dialects, I'm less interested in this regional divide and far more fascinated by the unexpected history behind how a fizzy "health" drink from the early 1800s spawned the modern soft drink's many names and iterations. Bubbles, anyone? Foods and drinks with wellness benefits might seem like a modern phenomenon, but the urge to create drinks with medicinal properties inspired what might be called a soda revolution in the 1800s. The process of carbonating water was discovered in the late 1700s. By the early 1800s, this carbonated water had become popular as a health drink and was often referred to as "soda water." The word "soda" likely came from "sodium," since these drinks often contained salts, which were then believed to have healing properties. Given its alleged curative effects for health issues such as indigestion, pharmacists sold soda water at soda fountains, innovative devices that created carbonated water to be sold by the glass. A chemistry professor, Benjamin Stillman, set up the first such device in a drugstore in New Haven, Conn., in 1806. Its eventual success inspired a boom of soda fountains in drugstores and health spas. By the mid-1800s, pharmacists were creating unique root-, fruit- and herb-infused concoctions, such as sassafras-based root beer, at their soda fountains, often marketing them as cures for everything from fatigue to foul moods. These flavored, sweetened versions gave rise to the linking of the word "soda" with a sweetened carbonated beverage, as opposed to simple, carbonated water. Seltzer - today's popular term for such sparkling water - was around, too. But it was used only for the naturally carbonated mineral water from the German town Nieder-Selters. Unlike Perrier, sourced similarly from a specific spring in France, seltzer made the leap to becoming a generic term for fizzy water. Regional naming patterns So how did "soda" come to be called so many different things in different places? It all stems from a mix of economic enterprise and linguistic ingenuity. The popularity of "soda" in the Northeast likely reflects the soda fountain's longer history in the region. Since a lot of Americans living in the Northeast migrated to California in the mid-to-late 1800s, the name likely traveled west with them. As for the Midwestern preference for "pop" -- well, the earliest American use of the term to refer to a sparkling beverage appeared in the 1840s in the name of a flavored version called "ginger pop." Such ginger-flavored pop, though, was around in Britain by 1816, since a Newcastle songbook is where you can first see it used in text. The "pop" seems to be onomatopoeic for the noise made when the cork was released from the bottle before drinking. Linguists don't fully know why "pop" became so popular in the Midwest. But one theory links it to a Michigan bottling company, Feigenson Brothers Bottling Works -- today known as Faygo Beverages -- that used "pop" in the name of the sodas it marketed and sold. Another theory suggests that because bottles were more common in the region, soda drinkers were more likely to hear the "pop" sound than in the Northeast, where soda fountains reigned. As for using coke generically, the first Coca-Cola was served in 1886 by Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist at Jacobs' Pharmacy in Atlanta and the founder of the company. In the 1900s, the Coca-Cola Co. tried to stamp out the use of "Coke" for "Coca-Cola." But that ship had already sailed. Since Coca-Cola originated and was overwhelmingly popular in the South, its generic use grew out of the fact that people almost always asked for "Coke." As with Jell-O, Kleenex, Band-Aids and seltzer, it became a generic term. What's soft about it? Speaking of soft drinks, what's up with that term? It was originally used to distinguish all nonalcoholic drinks from "hard drinks," or beverages that contain spirits. Interestingly, the original Coca-Cola formula included wine -- resembling a type of alcoholic "health" drink popular overseas, Vin Mariani. But Pemberton went on to develop a "soft" version a few years later to be sold as a medicinal drink. Due to the growing popularity of soda water concoctions, eventually "soft drink" came to mean only such sweetened carbonated beverages, a linguistic testament to America's enduring love affair with sugar and bubbles. With the average American guzzling almost 40 gallons per year, you can call it whatever you what. Just don't call it healthy. Valerie M. Fridland is a professor of Linguistics at the University of Nevada-Reno. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions in this commentary are solely those of the author.
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Red Hot Summer a perfect warm-up for Mark Seymour's Antarctic odyssey
Veteran Aussie songwriter Mark Seymour will be feeling the heat this summer, but come December next year, he will be preparing for a cool change. From October to December, Seymour will join some of Australian music's biggest names for the Red Hot Summer festival. Just 12 months after the tour wraps up, he will embark on a voyage to the coldest continent on earth. Seymour, 68, said he couldn't resist the offer to join an 11-day cruise to the Antarctic, which will see him performing intimate acoustic sets for those onboard. Read more from The Senior "I'd never do it otherwise. I'd never get down there. So it's an incredible opportunity to see, you know, this really, magnificent part of the earth," he said. Seymour is particularly excited about travelling the infamous Drake Passage. The notorious stretch of water between South America's Cape Horn and Antarctica's South Shetland Islands has historically been considered the most dangerous body of water in the world for seafarers. "It's got hundreds and hundreds of old wooden shipwrecks somewhere down on the bottom, you know, and so the history of the area is incredible." Before heading off on the adventure of a lifetime, Seymour will join the likes of Crowded House, The Church, The Waifs, and Angus and Julia Stone on the lineup for this year's Red Hot Summer touring festival. He can't wait to perform at the festival. He enjoys the opportunity to hang out with fellow performers at festivals and said Red Hot Summer offers a different vibe to most music festivals. "It just sort of becomes its own little kind of like a community backstage, but it's definitely got that vibe in the audience as well, I think. "What sets it apart from other tours or other festivals, it's very much about communities in towns, and it's sort of multi-generational. It's not focused on one particular age group." Joining Seymour on stage will be Vika and Linda. Seymour has had a long association with the popular vocal duo, having written When Will You Fall For Me, the first single from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The show will combine hits from both Seymour and Vika and Linda's catalogues. Seymour will take on lead vocals for some of Vika and Linda's hits, and they will take the lead on some of his, giving audiences the chance to experience the songs in a new light. Outside of touring life, Seymour, who co-penned Australian classics like Throw Your Arms Around Me, Holy Grail, and When The River Runs Dry, continues to write and produce music. The former Hunters and Collectors frontman released his latest album The Boxer with his current band, The Undertow last year. Its eponymous first single tells the story of a young woman who leaves a country town to pursue a boxing career and was inspired by his personal trainer. "I'm at my best (as a songwriter) when I inhabit a character. So there's a person engaged in something, and then they've got an attitude or they're in a particular emotional state." Having written and recorded music for more than 45 years, you might think the occasional bout of writer's block would be inevitable, but it has never been an issue for Seymour. "I look out at the world, and there's never a lack of material, ever. And I just basically experiment with my guitar, you know, it's a very simple process." "Why I chose songwriting as a pathway in life was pretty intuitive, really. Whatever that trigger is, it has always been there." Tickets for the Red Hot Summer are on sale now and selling fast. Red Hot Summer; touring regional venues in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia from October 11 to December 6. For tickets visit Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. . Veteran Aussie songwriter Mark Seymour will be feeling the heat this summer, but come December next year, he will be preparing for a cool change. From October to December, Seymour will join some of Australian music's biggest names for the Red Hot Summer festival. Just 12 months after the tour wraps up, he will embark on a voyage to the coldest continent on earth. Seymour, 68, said he couldn't resist the offer to join an 11-day cruise to the Antarctic, which will see him performing intimate acoustic sets for those onboard. Read more from The Senior "I'd never do it otherwise. I'd never get down there. So it's an incredible opportunity to see, you know, this really, magnificent part of the earth," he said. Seymour is particularly excited about travelling the infamous Drake Passage. The notorious stretch of water between South America's Cape Horn and Antarctica's South Shetland Islands has historically been considered the most dangerous body of water in the world for seafarers. "It's got hundreds and hundreds of old wooden shipwrecks somewhere down on the bottom, you know, and so the history of the area is incredible." Before heading off on the adventure of a lifetime, Seymour will join the likes of Crowded House, The Church, The Waifs, and Angus and Julia Stone on the lineup for this year's Red Hot Summer touring festival. He can't wait to perform at the festival. He enjoys the opportunity to hang out with fellow performers at festivals and said Red Hot Summer offers a different vibe to most music festivals. "It just sort of becomes its own little kind of like a community backstage, but it's definitely got that vibe in the audience as well, I think. "What sets it apart from other tours or other festivals, it's very much about communities in towns, and it's sort of multi-generational. It's not focused on one particular age group." Joining Seymour on stage will be Vika and Linda. Seymour has had a long association with the popular vocal duo, having written When Will You Fall For Me, the first single from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The show will combine hits from both Seymour and Vika and Linda's catalogues. Seymour will take on lead vocals for some of Vika and Linda's hits, and they will take the lead on some of his, giving audiences the chance to experience the songs in a new light. Outside of touring life, Seymour, who co-penned Australian classics like Throw Your Arms Around Me, Holy Grail, and When The River Runs Dry, continues to write and produce music. The former Hunters and Collectors frontman released his latest album The Boxer with his current band, The Undertow last year. Its eponymous first single tells the story of a young woman who leaves a country town to pursue a boxing career and was inspired by his personal trainer. "I'm at my best (as a songwriter) when I inhabit a character. So there's a person engaged in something, and then they've got an attitude or they're in a particular emotional state." Having written and recorded music for more than 45 years, you might think the occasional bout of writer's block would be inevitable, but it has never been an issue for Seymour. "I look out at the world, and there's never a lack of material, ever. And I just basically experiment with my guitar, you know, it's a very simple process." "Why I chose songwriting as a pathway in life was pretty intuitive, really. Whatever that trigger is, it has always been there." Tickets for the Red Hot Summer are on sale now and selling fast. Red Hot Summer; touring regional venues in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia from October 11 to December 6. For tickets visit Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. . Veteran Aussie songwriter Mark Seymour will be feeling the heat this summer, but come December next year, he will be preparing for a cool change. From October to December, Seymour will join some of Australian music's biggest names for the Red Hot Summer festival. Just 12 months after the tour wraps up, he will embark on a voyage to the coldest continent on earth. Seymour, 68, said he couldn't resist the offer to join an 11-day cruise to the Antarctic, which will see him performing intimate acoustic sets for those onboard. Read more from The Senior "I'd never do it otherwise. I'd never get down there. So it's an incredible opportunity to see, you know, this really, magnificent part of the earth," he said. Seymour is particularly excited about travelling the infamous Drake Passage. The notorious stretch of water between South America's Cape Horn and Antarctica's South Shetland Islands has historically been considered the most dangerous body of water in the world for seafarers. "It's got hundreds and hundreds of old wooden shipwrecks somewhere down on the bottom, you know, and so the history of the area is incredible." Before heading off on the adventure of a lifetime, Seymour will join the likes of Crowded House, The Church, The Waifs, and Angus and Julia Stone on the lineup for this year's Red Hot Summer touring festival. He can't wait to perform at the festival. He enjoys the opportunity to hang out with fellow performers at festivals and said Red Hot Summer offers a different vibe to most music festivals. "It just sort of becomes its own little kind of like a community backstage, but it's definitely got that vibe in the audience as well, I think. "What sets it apart from other tours or other festivals, it's very much about communities in towns, and it's sort of multi-generational. It's not focused on one particular age group." Joining Seymour on stage will be Vika and Linda. Seymour has had a long association with the popular vocal duo, having written When Will You Fall For Me, the first single from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The show will combine hits from both Seymour and Vika and Linda's catalogues. Seymour will take on lead vocals for some of Vika and Linda's hits, and they will take the lead on some of his, giving audiences the chance to experience the songs in a new light. Outside of touring life, Seymour, who co-penned Australian classics like Throw Your Arms Around Me, Holy Grail, and When The River Runs Dry, continues to write and produce music. The former Hunters and Collectors frontman released his latest album The Boxer with his current band, The Undertow last year. Its eponymous first single tells the story of a young woman who leaves a country town to pursue a boxing career and was inspired by his personal trainer. "I'm at my best (as a songwriter) when I inhabit a character. So there's a person engaged in something, and then they've got an attitude or they're in a particular emotional state." Having written and recorded music for more than 45 years, you might think the occasional bout of writer's block would be inevitable, but it has never been an issue for Seymour. "I look out at the world, and there's never a lack of material, ever. And I just basically experiment with my guitar, you know, it's a very simple process." "Why I chose songwriting as a pathway in life was pretty intuitive, really. Whatever that trigger is, it has always been there." Tickets for the Red Hot Summer are on sale now and selling fast. Red Hot Summer; touring regional venues in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia from October 11 to December 6. For tickets visit Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. .
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Win tickets to An Evening with Vika & Linda!
Vika & Linda will return to Adelaide Cabaret Festival for an intimate concert that showcases their lives, their love, and extraordinary beauty of their voices blended together. As an exclusive offer for ABC Adelaide eNews subscribers, we have a double pass up for grabs to see An Evening with Vika & Linda live on stage. How to win For your chance to win a tickets for you and a friend to see Vika & Linda live at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, all you have to do is simply sign up to receive the next Adelaide newsletter for details on how you can win. The ABC Adelaide newsletter comes straight to your inbox with regular updates from ABC Radio Adelaide, local stories and presenter news. Click on the link below to subscribe: Prize details: 2 'A-Reserve' tickets for you and a friend to see An Evening with Vika & Linda Saturday 14 June, 3pm Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre Winners will be drawn and notified on Friday 13 June. Terms and conditions apply.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From silks to sequins, statement pieces shine bright at DTFW
From bohemian statement garments with chiffon capes to reimagined ethnic wear, the flowy fits by Pallavi Jaipur fused California's vibe & beauty with Calcutta's charm Whether it was sharp casuals for office or ornate ensembles to slay at a wedding, the runway celebrated fashion for every occasion. Day 2 of Delhi Times Fashion Week, Powered by Obello Life, CSR Partner Oil India and Event Strategic Partner Silent Partners Inc, was packed with glam, style inspo and innovation. Hosted at Hyatt Regency Delhi, the three-day event (May 16 - May 18) saw designers presenting their most compelling collections of the season. East-West fashion gala Pallavi Jaipur From bohemian statement garments with chiffon capes to reimagined ethnic wear, the flowy fits by Pallavi Jaipur fused California's vibe & beauty with Calcutta's charm & culture. The collection showcased an eclectic mix of colours including bright hues of reds and fuchsia, tangerines and coral, blues and greens, reminiscent of the Californian coast, and deep tones like avocado greens, butter yellow and Prussian blue, inspired from the bylanes of Calcutta. Designer Pallavi Jaipur showcased a collection that is perfect for every ocassion 'From a sundowner party to a cocktail night to a pre-wedding function or a honeymoon on a cruise, the collection is versatile and can be worn round the year.' shared the designer. Heritage weaves, modern take Arvind Ampula Designer Arvind Ampula's collection Vika showcased heritage weaves like Kanjeevaram and Gadwal silk. 'Adding modern cuts and digital prints to traditional weaves with temple borders, makes it wearable for the current generation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now The collection was an ode to our heritage,' said the designer. Designer Arvind Ampula's collection Vika showcased heritage weaves like Kanjeevaram and Gadwal silk A glitzy affair Ashfaque Ahmed Designed for cocktail parties and receptions, the collection featured pastel gowns with intricate sequin work and net trains. 'The plunging necklines and net trains add to the glam quotient of the gowns,' said designer Ashfaque Ahmed. Cocktail glam on the runway Celestial drama Moledro Titled Ecran, the gowns by Moledro were adorned with celestial motifs and astrological signs. 'The sun, moon, dandelions, dragonflies and more, embroidered on the gowns represent the journey of our thoughts - the theme of the collection. The dream-like silhouettes in pastel shades are perfect for sundowner weddings and cocktail parties,' said Kavita Bisht, founder of the brand. Titled Ecran, the gowns by Moledro were adorned with celestial motifs and astrological signs Fashion meets purpose Miss & Mrs Red Carpet Crown of India Mayuri Mittal's Vintage Flower Revival collection beautifully blended sustainability with haute couture. The collection featured garments created by upcycling old sarees and fabrics, transformed into wearable art for every season. Inclusivity on the runway by designer Mayuri Mittal Sheer brilliance The Moh's by Sonika Mohanty With sheer and lustrous satins in focus, the collection Noir Vogue consisted of a mix of structured and flowy fits. 'The collection was inspired by French couture and noir aesthetics and designed for women who exude strength and sensuality,' said the designer Sonika Mohanty. Collection Noir Vogue showcased fusion of sheer and satin Celebrating chikankari Pleats Please by Ashima and Rohit The collection Khwaab-e-Kaarigar celebrated the timeless elegance of chikankari. 'The show was a glimpse of craftsmanship with chikankari drapes in pure georgette, tissue, crepe, accentuated with mirror work, mukaish and badla work,' said Rohit Katyal, founder of the brand. An ode to chikankari karigars Victorian elegance Black Pearl Show The collection The Planet of Princesses evoked a romantic, vintage bridal fantasy with a strong nod to Victorian elegance and classic Western silhouettes. With soft, feminine detailing on ethereal whites, the collection featured floral applique work, brim hats and lace gloves. Inspired by Victorian elegance H onouring Indian textiles Ekta Akhouri Featuring elegant saris, the collection honoured Indian handloom and the weavers. 'The collection included Banarasi and paithani silk saris with beads, kiran lace and mirrored borders,' said the designer Ekta Akhouri. Designer Ekta Akhouri's collection featured Indian handloom saris Classics rule Kingshuk Bhaduri Serving as inspiration for men and women to style up for a wedding, designer Kingshuk Bhadhuri's collection featured silhouettes like black sheer kurtas with satin pants and sequined blazers for men and red deconstructed saris and drape skirts for women. 'Red and black are timeless, and perfect for cocktail parties and reception,' said the designer. Timeless red and black steal the spotlight Summer slay Red Chief With every day must-haves for men, like casual T-shirts, checkered shirts and comfortable footwear, Red Chief brought summer vibes to the DTFW ramp. The collection embodied versatility and seasonal relevance. Redefining the cool Pics: Ranjit Kumar and Lokesh Kashyap One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Exploring Cultural Impacts On Young Pacific People's Financial Wellbeing
Press Release – Massey University My hope is that this research can support the development of the appropriate tools and resources that help young Pacific people make confident, informed choices, while still honouring their cultural identities, Vika Manoa says. As part of her doctoral studies, Vika is on a mission to further investigate the cultural influences that shape financial behaviours and decisions of young Pacific people in New Zealand — work that is both academically important and deeply personal. Vika says her first job exposed her to the harsh reality of financial illiteracy within Pacific people in New Zealand. 'My People were falling into debt in an effort to fulfil their cultural obligations. They often financially support extended families, contributing to funerals or church events without fully understanding the long-term financial impact.' That early exposure sparked a desire to understand how deeply rooted cultural values, external pressures and systemic challenges influence financial decision-making among Pacific people. Her research aims to develop culturally-responsive and empowering solutions. 'New Zealand's Pacific population is largely made up of young people, and this is an important stage of life when financial habits, values, and decisions are established. Better understanding these cultural and other impacts on their financial wellbeing can assist in developing tailored support and interventions that position them for long-term financial success, benefiting not only individuals but also their families and communities. That is the key to assisting them in navigating their cultural responsibilities without compromising their own financial future,' she adds. While currently in the data collection phase, Vika's research builds on findings from organisations like the New Zealand Retirement Commission, which shows Pacific people have the lowest financial wellbeing scores in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her work seeks to offer deeper, more meaningful insight into the context behind the statistics. The potential for real-world application is what drives her work. By addressing the cultural and social dynamics affecting young Pacific people's financial behaviour, her research could inform the design of financial education programmes that resonate with Pacific values. 'Financial mentoring services aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. Our Pacific people come with unique values, stories, and responsibilities that influence how they see and use money. What works for one family or individual might not work for another, especially when culture, faith, and family obligations play a big role in financial decisions. 'If it's going to be effective, it needs to be culturally relevant. My hope is that this research can support the development of the appropriate tools and resources that help young Pacific people make confident, informed choices, while still honouring their cultural identities,' she says. A proud Massey Business School alumna, Vika completed both her undergraduate and master's degrees at the university and has been working within the Massey Business School (MBS) since 2019. Her ongoing connection to Massey has played a key role in her academic journey. 'Massey has consistently provided a strong foundation of support, ranging from academic mentoring to pastoral care. As a Pacific student, this support has been truly invaluable. I wouldn't have made it this far in my academic journey without it.' She also points to the importance of representation in academia. After joining Massey as a staff member, she noticed a lack of Pacific academics and saw an opportunity to be involved in research. 'That realisation marked a turning point in my career path. With the invaluable support of the senior leadership at Massey Business School, I transitioned from aspiring to a professional role to pursuing a path in academia.' Vika is deeply appreciative of her PhD supervisors, Associate Professor Claire Matthews, Dr Jeff Stangl, Dr Pushpa Woods and Dr Kuen Yuen for their invaluable mentorship, expertise, and support throughout her doctoral journey. Their extensive experience in financial literacy and behavioural finance has been instrumental in guiding her research. With her research likely to be completed in end of 2026, Vika is already thinking about her future after study. Her goal is to continue working for MBS, continuing to contribute through research, teaching and community engagement. 'I also want to contribute to designing financial mentoring services that reflect the values and lived experiences of Pacific people in New Zealand. Ultimately, my aim is to empower Pacific people with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive, while staying proud of their cultural heritage,' she says. Want to be part of Vika's research? If you are of Pacific descent and aged between 18 and 30, you're invited to take part in an online study exploring the cultural and other influences on the financial wellbeing of young Pacific people in Aotearoa New Zealand. This research aims to understand how our culture, values, family, education, work, and life experiences shape the way we manage money and think about financial wellbeing. Your insights will help inform better support and resources for Pacific youth and communities. The survey is anonymous, takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and your time and honesty are greatly appreciated. You can take part in the study here:
