Soda jerk passing an ice cream soda between two soda fountains, New York City, New York, 1936A soda jerk tossing a scoop of ice cream into a metal mixing cup before blending a malted shake, Texas, 1939
Soda jerks were relatively common in the United States from the 1920s until the late 1950s; due to economic and social trends, the occupation essentially no longer exists.
The term soda jerk was a pun on soda clerk, the formal job title of the drugstore assistants who operated soda fountains. It was inspired by the "jerking" action the server would implement to drive the fountain handle back and forth when adding soda.[3] The soda fountain spigot itself was typically a sturdy, shiny fixture attached at the end of a pipe which protruded over the counter and curved down at the end for filling glasses. Since most drinks required carbonated water, the tap handle was built large to accommodate frequent use of the fountain.
Historyedit
The practice of operating a soda fountain in a drugstore reached its peak popularity in the 1940s[4] but was popular from the 1920s through the 1950s. The position was coveted, and was commonly only awarded after protracted menial labor in the store.[4] Soda jerking was dominated by popular young men with loud personalities and good people skills because of the popular environment and "cool" association. These boys who worked at the shops were expected to serve the drinks and also socialize and entertain the guests.
Michael Karl Witzel describes an archetypal soda jerk as "[a] consummate showman, innovator and freelance linguist... the pop culture star of the Gilded Age".[4]
Soda jerks were known for having their own lingo for how their drinks were made. They created nicknames for different drinks. For example, they called a glass of milk "baby" and a strawberry milkshake "in the hay".[5] A Coca-Cola with ice was called "scratch one". They also had lingo to express how they wanted their drink to be served. Coffee, or "draw one" would be served strong if called "draw one from the south". If a drink was ordered with extra ice it was "heavy on the hail".[5]
Some of these terms are still used today. Egg creams, the shorthand for a chocolate soda with some milk, are served in many places and are especially known in New York where they originated.[6]
Another term from soda-jerk lingo that remains in use is "concrete", a name for an extremely thick milkshake or custard. For example, Culver's continues to serve their famous Concrete Mixers.[7]
^Allen, Irving (1993). The City in Slang. Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-509265-1.
^Partridge, Eric (2006). The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English. New York: Routledge. ISBN0-415-21258-8.
^McCafferty, Kevin. . San Gabriel Valley Menus. Archived from the original on 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
^ abcdWitzel, Michael (2002). "Splendour of the Soda Fountains". The American Drive-in Restaurant. Osceola: Motorbooks International. ISBN0-7603-1350-4.
^ ab"Soda Jerks: A Lingo All Their Own". Hamilton Beach. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
^Stradley, Linda (April 17, 2015). "New York Egg Cream Recipe And History". What's Cooking America. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
soda, jerk, soda, jerker, american, term, used, refer, person, typically, young, would, operate, soda, fountain, drugstore, preparing, serving, soda, drinks, cream, sodas, drinks, were, made, mixing, flavored, syrup, carbonated, water, occasionally, malt, powd. Soda jerk or soda jerker 1 is an American term used to refer to a person typically a young man who would operate the soda fountain in a drugstore preparing and serving soda drinks and ice cream sodas 2 The drinks were made by mixing flavored syrup carbonated water and occasionally malt powder over either ice or a few scoops of ice cream The drink would then be served in a tall glass with a long handled spoon most commonly known as a soda spoon and drinking straws Soda jerk passing an ice cream soda between two soda fountains New York City New York 1936 A soda jerk tossing a scoop of ice cream into a metal mixing cup before blending a malted shake Texas 1939 Soda jerks were relatively common in the United States from the 1920s until the late 1950s due to economic and social trends the occupation essentially no longer exists Contents 1 Origin of term 2 History 3 Lingo 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksOrigin of term editThe term soda jerk was a pun on soda clerk the formal job title of the drugstore assistants who operated soda fountains It was inspired by the jerking action the server would implement to drive the fountain handle back and forth when adding soda 3 The soda fountain spigot itself was typically a sturdy shiny fixture attached at the end of a pipe which protruded over the counter and curved down at the end for filling glasses Since most drinks required carbonated water the tap handle was built large to accommodate frequent use of the fountain History editThe practice of operating a soda fountain in a drugstore reached its peak popularity in the 1940s 4 but was popular from the 1920s through the 1950s The position was coveted and was commonly only awarded after protracted menial labor in the store 4 Soda jerking was dominated by popular young men with loud personalities and good people skills because of the popular environment and cool association These boys who worked at the shops were expected to serve the drinks and also socialize and entertain the guests Michael Karl Witzel describes an archetypal soda jerk as a consummate showman innovator and freelance linguist the pop culture star of the Gilded Age 4 The proliferation of ice cream parlors declined as drive ins and walk up fast food stands grew in popularity and grill and fry cooks replaced soda jerks 4 Lingo editSoda jerks were known for having their own lingo for how their drinks were made They created nicknames for different drinks For example they called a glass of milk baby and a strawberry milkshake in the hay 5 A Coca Cola with ice was called scratch one They also had lingo to express how they wanted their drink to be served Coffee or draw one would be served strong if called draw one from the south If a drink was ordered with extra ice it was heavy on the hail 5 Some of these terms are still used today Egg creams the shorthand for a chocolate soda with some milk are served in many places and are especially known in New York where they originated 6 Another term from soda jerk lingo that remains in use is concrete a name for an extremely thick milkshake or custard For example Culver s continues to serve their famous Concrete Mixers 7 See also edit nbsp Drink portal Dirty soda Barista Bartender Lunch counter Milk bar Milkshake CoffeehouseReferences edit Allen Irving 1993 The City in Slang Oxford Oxfordshire Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 509265 1 Partridge Eric 2006 The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English New York Routledge ISBN 0 415 21258 8 McCafferty Kevin Soda Jerks History San Gabriel Valley Menus Archived from the original on 2006 09 27 Retrieved 2006 11 03 a b c d Witzel Michael 2002 Splendour of the Soda Fountains The American Drive in Restaurant Osceola Motorbooks International ISBN 0 7603 1350 4 a b Soda Jerks A Lingo All Their Own Hamilton Beach Retrieved 2018 05 21 Stradley Linda April 17 2015 New York Egg Cream Recipe And History What s Cooking America Retrieved 2018 05 21 Concrete Mixers Frozen Custard amp Candy Mixers Culver s Retrieved 2018 05 21 External links editAlbright Andrea Longtime soda jerk closes up shop The Topeka Capital Journal July 9 2000 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Soda jerk amp oldid 1200342604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
