₦airaland Forum

Here’s why Americans call football ‘soccer’

What many people don’t know is that the term “soccer” actually comes from Britain

If you’re reading this in the US or Canada, you’re likely familiar with the sport of soccer. But, if you’re reading this pretty much anywhere else, then you probably know the same game rules and call it football. What’s the difference?

How did we end up with two names, football and soccer, for the same sport?

Let’s start in England in the 1800s. Young men, especially at boarding schools, played a number of versions of moving a ball (with hands or feet) across an opponent’s goal. At Rugby School, for instance, they played a version that allowed for use of the hands; at Eton College, only feet were permitted.

So, in 1863 in London, a Football Association (the world’s first) was formed to standardize the rules. Two codes resulted from it: rugby football, after Rugby School, and association football, after that newly formed association.

Where does the word soccer come from

Now, around the 1870s, students, especially at Oxford University, were fond of a playful slang practice where they shortened words and added –er to their end. Breakfast, for instant, became brekker. Rugby? Rugger. Football? Footer.

The association in association football was also shortened to soccer. This clips off the first and last three syllables of association, leaving –soc-, onto which that chummy –er was added, yielding soccer. The term is first recorded as socker in 1891. Footer is slightly older, found in that fateful year of 1863.

What is the origin of American football?

But, what about that other football that people in the US bring to the Super Bowl? American football (a term recorded in the 1870s) is based on rugby and had already taken off by the time association football became popular in the US.

For whatever reason, the name soccer stuck for association football and football for the gridiron sport. In fact, the governing body for soccer in the US was called the United States Soccer Football Association until 1974.

Does anyone else around the world call football soccer?

Americans and Canadians aren’t alone, however, in calling the sport soccer. Many in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland call association football soccer, likely as a way to distinguish it from Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which are commonly referred to just as football in those places—just as Americans call American football simply football.

So, the next time a British person thumbs their nose at you for calling football soccer, you can let them know that soccer was a UK original! And, if you’re having trouble keeping all these names straight, take a page from Spanish and call it … fútbol!

Source: https://www.dictionary.com/e/soccer-or-footballs

They don't value football, rather, they prefer basketball

Great100000:
Source: https://www.dictionary.com/e/soccer-or-footballs

Na wa o
Trump will change it soon.
This character issue no good

Sigh... This shalaye is just unnecessary.

Americans should keep quiet and adapt with the times.

There is a reason we have a World Football Association (FIFA) and European as well as African football Association, not "soccer association".

There are so many names and terms used in the past that have been replaced today... Life continues.


Americans need to quit thinking they are in a world of their own or that universe revolves around their backyard.


It grinds on my ears and nerves everytime they call football, soccer... Or call Rugby, Football (the very worst).

My favorite sport from day one, no paddy for soccer

bobonla:
Ok soccer
In china we call it shaolin soccer...
Meanwhile EFCC chairman attended Yahaya Bello wedding today in Abuja

What is this?

Wey spread like butter so.

It definitely must be AI

princeade86:
They don't value football, rather, they prefer basketball

They have another sport they call American football which they majorly play with their hands, just kicking the ball occasionally

The Chinese kids and students i teach call it soccer as well.

Trump stated it even at the club world cup finale. Is cricket the same as American'baseball'?

And what brought the big yansh am seeing? Abi is that the reconciliation between soccer and football?

Football club in the UK and soccer club in the USA

American football is actually 1 foot by length (not round like English football)hence the term football. As they can't call both football, they call the 2nd one soccer

Useless explanation..... Wetin concern short form of football (footer) to soccer.

Better said : they normally, shorten football for footer but since people use legs to shoot the ball, some people start calling shoot - shooter.

Shooter the shorten form is soccer

I hope myn is more convincing.

Because it’s called soccer here
President Trump is trying to change it but I’m not sure if the Americans want it changed

Shey trump wants to pass a bill changing it from soccer to football
😂😂

WhizdomXX:
Trump stated it even at the club world cup finale. Is cricket the same as American'baseball'?

no cricket ball is small and very different from american football.
See american football

International Superstar Soccer

Deluxe

Sega

All just to meet up 40

Trump is trying to change that.
40 characters 40 characters 40 characters 40 characters.

Soccer, sucker, Suker, Shoemaker, all are nouns. 3 2 1 more character needed.

Calling ‘Rugby’ football by the Americans is pure nonsense…. How can a ball held in the hand be called football… When a ball touches a player hand (except goal keeper) in football world is hand ball (foul)….

Great100000:
Source: https://www.dictionary.com/e/soccer-or-footballs

My question is, why is it that it is girls that traditionally play it in US?

The explanation is too convoluted and sounds like something that was made up. Just like trying to explain to Nigerians that Bubu was a blessing and deserved to be immortalized

Assoc was the first name football was called then it metamorph into Soccer for convenience when it gained popularity.

Shalaye Left and right European Football isn't an America Thing even In derr curriculum in Schl is no where to be found...

America was not exposed in terms of football until MLS came in circulation, if you watch the CWC final or after the CWC final Pres. Donald Trump has alreadly announced his intentions to change the name from soccer to football.

FreeIgboho:
My question is, why is it that it is girls that traditionally play it in US?

Men have better sport to play, American players make more money in American football or basketball than they do in soccer. It's all about sponsors and the amount generated. In America, Messi or CR7 will never be as popular as Michael Jordan or Lebron

Arobaga:
May thunder scatter Tinubu




Insha allah




Very useless being

Bros Wetin Tinubu do U now to this Extent. This Has to do with Sports Not Politics .. Take it Easy ooooo. If Tinubu Invites you to Aso Rock , How Would You Feel ? Will U go ...

princeade86:
They don't value football, rather, they prefer basketball

Not in Canada and Mexico,

I don't have anymore characters