Whoever takes just plain ginger ale soon gets drowned out of the conversation.

Hubbard’s quip plays on the social dynamics of drinking culture: ordering “just plain ginger ale” marks someone as abstaining (or at least not joining in), which can make them less central to the group’s convivial rhythm. “Drowned out” suggests both literal noise—boisterous talk fueled by alcohol—and figurative marginalization, as the conversation’s tone and pace shift toward those drinking more strongly. The humor depends on exaggeration and a wry, observational stance: it’s not a moral argument for drinking, but a satirical note about how group bonding and attention often follow shared indulgence, leaving the sober participant at a conversational disadvantage.