We asked, and, boy did you answer.

Between our social media platforms, the newsletter, and our email inbox, 100+ of you shared local nuggets of knowledge about our city — and we loved reading all of the responses.

We don’t want anyone feeling left out, so we’re going over some of the answers so everyone can know what makes Columbia, well, Columbia.

Let’s start with the basics.

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1️⃣ “I give up, what’s a “Soda citizen?” — @andysmithsc86

That’s us! But where did that term come from? Columbia SC’s nickname is Cola. Cola is used as another name for soda. Soda City = Soda Citizens.

Let’s step it up a notch.

Say it with us — "UG" and "Jer-vay" Streets | photo by COLAtoday team

2️⃣ If you’re a local, “you know how to pronounce Huger and Gervais.” – @fordboydbailey

It’s pronounced YOU-GEE and JER-VAY. But, the real kicker is if you know where those names originate. A little local trivia for you:

Huger Street is named after Isaac Huger — a French Huguenot — who was a brigadier general and veteran of the Cherokee + American Revolution Wars. Born in 1742 (some say 1743), he also served in the SC Senate, House of Representatives, and the First Provincial Congress. Read more about him — and the famous street — here.

Gervais Street is named after John Lewis Gervais — A German-born, French Huguenot — who helped establish Columbia as the capital city and named the city in 1786.
Let’s see if you know this one.

Rockaway’s famous pimento cheese burger | photo by @forrestclonts

3️⃣ If you're a local, “You know where Rockaway’s is.” — @d_cantelmi

Do you know where this unmarked restaurant is? “Rockaway’s” is short for Rockaway Athletic Club. Located at 2719 Rosewood Dr., Rockaway’s is known for its pimento cheese burgers, pimento cheese fries, and The South Carolina Liquor Library.

Did you know all of those? We challenge you to look below + put your local knowledge to the test. From train schedules, unspoken road rules, and local lingo— see how much you really know about Columbia.

You know where Soda City Market started (original location). — @merrittm13
You grew up hearing stories of the Three Eyed Man in the tunnels and sewers of downtown! — @colascgirl
You know how to pronounce Huger and Gervais – @fordboydbailey
What Red Hots and Sharky’s were — @lifting.faith
Do you remember the newsprint smell of The Capitol Newsstand on Main? Or how much fun it was to spin on the barstools at The Seaboard Diner? Do you know where the Seaboard Diner was? — @dremeboatannie
When Cromer’s Peanuts used to be in Dutch Square Mall — @mssunshine803
Hash — @richardomarx
You know Blue Sky & where his art is located around Cola — @deb27west
Where did the phrase “famously hot” come from? — @abundantgraze_sc
You know who Dog West is — @myowngirlfriday
DON'T STOP MOVING IN MALFUNCTION JUNCTION 😂☠️ — @jaymesonhope
Cromer's peanuts used to be in Dutch Square Mall and they had monkeys in the glass front of the store. — @maggiegray927
I give up, what’s a “Soda citizen”? — @andysmithsc86
The Whig — @enchantpix
You know Mack’s on Laurel St. has the best hamburgers hands down! — @rachwest89
You know where the best boiled peanut stands are and when they’re open! — @ruthwiley_guildmortgage
The n on the Five Points logo painted on the train trestle going to campus isn’t capitalized. — @alexmfogle
Tunnel Vision and Classics — @heatherlynnstrebig
Hearing “Hello my friend,” “hello my dear” before eating deliciousness — @margaret_ruth
You are more active in your neighborhood [Facebook] group than you care to be — @m egangcarlton
You ate at Hooligan’s — @marysarahk
You know where Rockaway’s is — @d_cantelmi
You’re from Columbia if you’ve passed No Name Deli on Elmwood and thought, “I should go there sometime” but never do. — @micahperoulis
How to find Mr. Friendlys! — @emmabearcat
You know who the chicken man is. — @alyssalfarris
Why George Washington’s cane is broken in front of the State House.— @laura.gisler
…. That @grouchos_deli 45 sauce will cause life-long addictions. — @gamecockshan
Dog West is an icon. — @tjoshbennett
You know what the Publix building on Gervais used to be – @alanpiercy
Rupert’s Blue Dog Cafe – @kunaldas
Edna’s drive in💔 a taste of my childhood! – @victoriarose2011
Zestos has the best fried chicken. Just look for the chocolate cone in the sky! — @cody_brodie_
Kinch’s — @luvmama
Tunnels. — @hubcap_carl
Lake Murray sunsets — @haydenrothschild
Convincing the trains to blow their horns while sunbathing on “Party Rock” at the Granby Riverwalk — @timlandholt
Onnie's hot dogs — @alicekle
How to get to Williams Brice without crossing a railroad track — @eking1231
You know that Rush’s is a staple — @aishaaude_
Labrascas Pizza🍕 — @angierye
Belk’s and Berry’s on Main. And Christmas windows at Belk’s — @jbballance
You know what those stars on the outside of the State House represent. — @sandylaneyphotography
JB Whites was the best department store! — @kershawkwilts
Beezers has the best sandwiches in cola!! — @mrs.mmyi
The locations for every Bojangles in town. — @micahperoulis
You toldMr. Knozit what you wanted to be when you grew up! — @taytompkins
Cromer’s popcorn and peanuts — @kerryandmissy
You know about the catacombs — @med_zeppelin_
Congaree isn't a fancy drum circle… — @djacousticmotorcycle
The State House Dome was a copper brown and is turning green due to weathering.🙌🏽 — @sayednairb
The old Richland Mall — @jjhough1122
Bandana man — @fluffygyaldat
The Chicken Man and would recognize him on the street — @megankrystofik
Tapp’s was a department store before it was a art center — @trashcanwillie
Loose Lucy’s! — @samanthacbrown
Nightcaps. End of discussion. — @inamichelle
You know about the salamanders around downtown — @elisabeth.brenna
You know there used to be a trolley line along wide median on Saluda Ave between Five Points and Haywood St. — @alanpiercy
To turn on your brights driving down Millwood at night — @gandyrobbie
The old Cafe Strudel spot. — @nikkikuhlen
Mr. Popper’s caramel corn and Icees with ice cream on top. — @youaremysunshine10
Gouda Mac — @dnancejr
Columbia used to have one of the oldest underground “subways.” It was horse drawn under Main St — @jakonesko
Camping out for NUMEROUS concerts for sometimes numerous nights at the original Coliseum 😁 — @thecorkedcook
Chucky Cheese was Showbiz pizza first — @7_d_j_p_7
Alligator Man story — @fluffygyaldat
Joyful Alternative still lives in the hearts of 90s kids. — @staceybee313
Pizza Man!!!! RIP — @abigail3607789
You remember the old ET sign over the bike shop in Triangle City in the 80s. — @faireundefi
You know Garners Ferry smells like dog food — @lauraanne803
In 1964 there was a A&W Rootbeer drive up restaurant (Sonic Style) on Devine St. — @mimi2some
You've actually seen the Ra statue — @gumbynator
🐓Ernest Lee (AKA Chicken Man) — @mikeys_cereal
Underground Columbia — @allison_m_bertram
…that @transmissionarcade “The Arcade Bar” has the best late night bar food downtown…🤤😶🤭🙃😆 — @avadbraxton
Social Pig — @kedmiston66
That people have tried to drive in Blue Sky’s tunnel — Becky P.
Heathwood Hall is not in Heathwood, and Shandon Baptist Church is not in Shandon. — Sandi Reid B.
Meet at the rocket! — Hillary H.
Town Theatre is the oldest continuously running Community Theatre in the United States. — Chris K.
History of Survey Building in Eau Claire — Julie Hunt B.
Best ways to get around the trains that come through at 5 o’clock and actually stop on the tracks. — Meagan H.
That Carolina played Clemson on Big Thursday — Salley R.
Five Points and The Vista — Chris K.
Adluh Grits — Lynetta M.
Gibbes machinery company . Kline steel. — Linda H.
Pimento cheese fries at Rockaways. — Susan Funderburk G.
Egyptian mural — Laney C.
Herb's Grill. — Renee B.
West Columbia is the BEST Columbia — Suzanne R.
Cola = Columbia — Renee R.
That saying I was stuck behind a train is a legitimate excuse — Laura R.
That the frozen food (especially pizza) and general housewares sections of Target will be practically sold out for the whole month of August (because students moved back in) — Laura R.
That you always need to park up on the sidewalk on Devine to avoid getting hit — Laura R.
That meters are no joke and you will get a ticket 95% of the time you don’t pay them — Laura R.
How Five Points used to be (RIP Pav’s, Dr. Rocco’s, Cockpit, Sharky’s, Knock Knock Club, Chubby’s, Pops Pizza, Sub Pub, Harper’s and so many more) — Laura R.
What it was really like to see your friends' houses, the stores you frequent and the roads you take every day covered in flood water — Laura R.
That anonymous brick building on Rosewood holds the best pimento cheeseburger and pimento cheese fries in town. — Roxanne A.
WIS stands for Wonderful Iodine State. — Angela T.
Do you know that Mr. Cain Neely ran a grits mill and small grocery story on the corner of Huger and Tobacco Streets (now Catawba St.) in the Granby Mill village? Mr Neeley ground corn Into grits and also corn meal. — James K.
If you’re a local, you know not to try and pass someone while driving on the Gervais Street Bridge. — COLAtoday City Editor, Sam
Don’t even try to do anything outside in August — it’s not worth it. — COLAtoday Intern, Katie.
What Rox Chix means. — COLAtoday City Editor, David.

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