"Coca-Cola"/"Coke" (in Tanzania) = something easy, a given, no problem

[James C Stalker]

I remember an ad campaign for Coke which used the slogan "it's the real
thing."  Might derive from that, especially in a different language where
the translation of "real" might possibly include "given" or "true" or
"inevitable"?

Jim Stalker


Douglas G. Wilson writes:

>
>> When I was in Tanzania (TZ) I was speaking with my guide about all kinds
>> of cultural points of interest, and this came up in conversation around a
>> political race that was in progress at the time.  This particular
>> candidate was a sure thing for winning the seat.  Everyone knew it and
>> called it, "Coke."
>
> It sure looks like "cake": e.g., "This is a cake assignment", "It's a
> piece
> of cake", "It was no cakewalk". Offhand I don't know the etymological
> connection (if any) between "cake" and "cakewalk" here, and I don't know
> how "coke" is connected (if it is).
>
> -- Doug Wilson
>



James C. Stalker
Department of English
Michigan State University