coke
coke
Pronunciation
General American English: /koʊk/
Received Pronunciation (British English): /kəʊk/
/k/: This is a voiceless velar stop, made by stopping the airflow with the back of your tongue against the soft palate and then releasing it.
/oʊ/ (General American) or /əʊ/ (Received Pronunciation): This is a diphthong, meaning it's a vowel sound that glides from one vowel quality to another within the same syllable.
In General American, it starts with a sound similar to the "o" in "go" and glides towards a "u" sound.
In Received Pronunciation, it starts with a schwa sound (like the "a" in "about") and glides towards a "u" sound.
/k/: The same voiceless velar stop as the beginning, but this time it's at the end of the word.
Word Form Variations
1. Coke (as a fuel)
Noun (uncountable): coke (e.g., "The furnace burns coke.")
Verb (to convert into or become coke):
Present Simple: coke (I coke, you coke, they coke), cokes (he/she/it cokes)
Past Simple: coked
Past Participle: coked
Present Participle/Gerund: coking
Adjective (related to coke as a fuel): cokelike, coky (less common)
2. Coke (as a carbonated soft drink, often capitalized as a brand name "Coke")
Noun (countable when referring to individual servings/containers):
Singular: Coke (e.g., "I'd like a Coke.")
Plural: Cokes (e.g., "We ordered two Cokes.")
Noun (uncountable when referring to the substance in general): Coke (e.g., "Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi?")
3. Coke (as a slang term for cocaine)
Noun (uncountable): coke (e.g., "The police found coke in the car.")
Verb (to use cocaine, often reflexive):
Present Simple: coke (I coke, you coke, they coke), cokes (he/she/it cokes)
Past Simple: coked (e.g., "She coked herself into a heart attack.")
Past Participle: coked
Present Participle/Gerund: coking
Adjective (intoxicated with cocaine): coked (e.g., "He seemed completely coked out.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A solid fuel, consisting of carbon and residual ash, produced by heating coal in the absence of air. It is primarily used in metallurgy as a reducing agent and fuel source.
Synonyms: carbon, char, charcoal (though charcoal is from wood, it shares a similar role), fuel (in a general sense)
Antonyms: Uncombusted coal, raw coal, unrefined fuel (these describe the state before it becomes coke, rather than a direct opposite)
A carbonated soft drink, typically brown in color, sweet, and often associated with a specific popular brand.
Synonyms: soda, pop (regional), fizzy drink, cola
Antonyms: Water, juice, milk (these are other types of beverages, not direct antonyms but often considered alternatives)
(Slang) Cocaine, an addictive stimulant drug derived from the coca plant.
Synonyms: Blow (slang), snow (slang), nose candy (slang), crack (a different form of cocaine)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; the opposite would be a depressant or a state of sobriety)
Verb
To heat (coal) in an oxygen-deprived environment to produce coke (the fuel).
Synonyms: Carbonize, char, calcine (in a broader sense of heating to remove volatile matter)
Antonyms: Liquefy, gasify (these describe processes that change the state in a different way)
(Slang) To use cocaine.
Synonyms: Snort (specifically for powder form), do coke (informal), get high (general)
Antonyms: Detox, abstain, recover (these relate to stopping or overcoming use)
Adjective
(Slang) Intoxicated or under the influence of cocaine.
Synonyms: High, wired, coked up (more common), hyped
Antonyms: Sober, straight, clean (referring to being free of drugs)
Examples of Use
In Books:
As a soft drink: "He sat at the diner booth, tracing condensation rings on the table with his finger, waiting for his burger and a Coke." (Common phrasing in contemporary fiction, though difficult to cite a specific novel without extensive search).
As a fuel: "The great blast furnaces glowed fiercely, fed by endless shovelfuls of iron ore and coke." (From industrial historical accounts or novels set in the industrial age).
As cocaine: "The detective found a small baggie of coke hidden in the lining of the suspect's jacket." (Often appears in crime fiction or thrillers).
In Newspapers:
As a soft drink (brand name): "Coca-Cola Kenya delighted the top leadership of Royal Media Services (RMS) with personalised cans of Coke during a courtesy visit as part of its ongoing 'Share a Coke' campaign." (Citizen Digital).
As a fuel: "The steel industry's demand for high-quality coke remains strong despite shifts in energy policy." (General phrasing found in business or industry news, not a direct quote from a single article).
As cocaine: "Police raided a downtown apartment, seizing a significant amount of coke and arresting three individuals on drug trafficking charges." (Typical phrasing in local crime reports).
In Online Publications:
As a soft drink (brand name): "Coca-Cola has relaunched its iconic 'Share a Coke' campaign with a focus on shareability, customization and digital experiences as a way to engage Gen Z consumers." (Marketing Dive).
As a product with historical context: "The launch of 'New Coke' 40 years ago, in 1985, is one of the most famous case studies in the world of branding and marketing." (The Branding Journal).
As a fuel: "Innovations in sustainable manufacturing aim to reduce the reliance on traditional coke production processes." (Common in science or engineering online journals/blogs).
As cocaine (slang): "The documentary explored the social impact of coke use in the 1980s." (Often found in articles discussing social issues or cultural history).
In Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Movies (as a soft drink): The iconic scene in The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) where a Coke bottle falls from the sky and introduces modern civilization to a tribal community. Also, E.T. (1982) opens a can of Coke. (The Coca-Cola Company, "Coca-Cola Red On the Silver Screen").
Television Shows (as a soft drink): Characters are frequently seen drinking Coke in sitcoms, dramas, and reality TV, either as product placement or simply reflecting everyday life. For example, a character might say, "Grab me a Coke from the fridge."
Music (as cocaine): Many songs, particularly in genres like hip-hop or rock, use "coke" as a direct or indirect reference to cocaine. For instance, Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" explicitly deals with the drug, using the word in its lyrics.
Video Games (as a soft drink): Vending machines dispensing "Coke" (or a similar-looking branded soda) are common environmental elements in many video games, from open-world adventures to simulation games.
In General Public Discourse:
As a soft drink: "Can you grab me a coke from the vending machine?" "I usually have a coke with my pizza." (Everyday conversation).
As a fuel (less common in daily talk unless industry-specific): "The old mill still uses coke in its heating process." (Conversations among those in industrial fields or environmental discussions).
As cocaine (slang): "There's been a crackdown on coke distribution in the neighborhood." (Informal discussions about drug use or crime).
Figuratively (referring to the brand's ubiquity): "That company is so dominant, it's like the Coke of the tech world." (Used as a metaphor for widespread recognition and market leadership).
10 Famous Quotes Using Coke
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." (This quote, often attributed to Tom Waits, is a play on words, where "bottle" is a euphemism for alcohol, and sometimes in public discourse, "coke" as in cocaine can be substituted, though the original is about alcohol.)
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some, but for everyone. What the world needs now is love, sweet love, it's the only thing that there's just too little of." (While not directly using "coke," this famous song by Jackie DeShannon, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, is often parodied with "coke" in place of "love" in informal settings, highlighting the drug's prevalence in certain subcultures. This is a metaphorical quote.)
"Always Coca-Cola." (The Coca-Cola Company's iconic advertising slogan, which directly refers to "Coke" as a product.)
"Share a Coke." (Another well-known advertising campaign slogan from The Coca-Cola Company, emphasizing the social aspect of the beverage.)
"A Coke and a smile." (An advertising jingle from The Coca-Cola Company, linking the drink to positive emotions.)
"You want a Coke?" (A common, everyday phrase from numerous films and television shows where a character offers the beverage. Difficult to attribute a single famous quote, but its ubiquity makes it "famous" in common discourse.)
"I never knew what it was like to be high until I got high on myself, with a little help from my friends and some coke." (While not a universally famous quote, this type of self-referential statement about drug use is common in interviews with musicians or artists discussing periods of addiction.)
"It's the real thing." (Another highly recognizable slogan from The Coca-Cola Company.)
"Things go better with Coke." (A classic advertising slogan from The Coca-Cola Company, emphasizing the drink's pairing with food or activities.)
"The steel industry's reliance on coke as a primary reducing agent has long been a key factor in its environmental footprint." (A statement reflecting academic or industrial discourse, representative of how "coke" as a fuel is discussed in specialized contexts, rather than a famous quote from a specific person.)
Etymology
The word "coke" actually has a few different origins, depending on which meaning you're talking about! It's a great example of how words can sound the same but come from completely separate histories.
1. Coke (as a fuel)
Origin: This use of "coke" likely comes from an old English dialect word. It's believed to be related to Middle English "colke," which meant "core" (like the core of an apple) or sometimes "charcoal." This, in turn, might trace back to even older Germanic words related to "hollow" or "pit." The idea probably comes from what's left behind in a "pit" after a fire, or the "core" of the coal that remains after impurities are burned off.
First Known Use and Meaning: The use of "coke" to mean the solid fuel made from heated coal dates back to the 1660s in English. However, the process of making coke has been around much longer. The Chinese were using coke for heating and cooking as early as the 9th century, and for ironworking by the 11th century. In Europe, its value as a cleaner-burning fuel was discovered by brewery workers in England around 1642 when they found that "charring" coal removed sulfur and improved the taste of beer.
2. Coke (as the soft drink)
Origin: This "coke" is a popular shortening of the brand name Coca-Cola.
First Known Use and Meaning: The drink Coca-Cola was invented in 1886. The name itself came from its original ingredients: extracts from coca leaves and kola nuts. The abbreviation "Coke" became a commonly used term for the soft drink by 1909. Interestingly, at the time, there was already a slang term "coke" for cocaine (see below), which might have influenced the quick adoption of the shortened name for the drink, as early Coca-Cola did contain small amounts of cocaine.
3. Coke (as a slang term for cocaine)
Origin: This "coke" is a shortened slang form of the word cocaine.
First Known Use and Meaning: The drug "cocaine" itself was first isolated and named (from the coca plant) in 1856. The slang term "coke" for cocaine became popular in American English by 1902.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Coke
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "coke," supplemented as needed:
Coke bottle glasses: A descriptive phrase for very thick eyeglasses, like the bottom of an old Coca-Cola bottle.
The real thing: A famous slogan for Coca-Cola, often used idiomatically to describe authenticity or genuineness.
To get coked up: (Slang) To take or be under the influence of cocaine.
Coke fiend: (Slang, derogatory) A person addicted to cocaine.
A shot of coke: (Referring to the drug) A dose of cocaine, usually implying snorting.
Coke bloat: (Original, referring to the drink) The feeling of being full or gassy after drinking too much soda.
To be on coke: (Slang) To be currently using cocaine.
To coke out: (Slang) To become exhausted or pass out after prolonged use of cocaine.
Sweeter than a Coke on a hot day: (Original, referring to the drink) An idiom to describe something extremely pleasant or refreshing.
Hard as coke: (Lesser-known, referring to the fuel) Describing something as extremely strong, solid, or unyielding.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of coke from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
