The world’s most popular sport is known by various names across different countries. Some call it soccer, while most others call it football. In truth, it’s mainly America and Australia that use the word soccer over football.
This article explores the historical origins and cultural reasons behind the different names for this globally beloved sport. As you read on, you will learn about the evolution of the sport’s name in the United Kingdom, the regional variations, and the cultural influences that have shaped the terminology.
Historical Origins
In the United Kingdom, the first use of the word football was found in 1314, when the Lord Mayor of London issued a proclamation banning the game in the city due to its disruptive nature.
Back then many games were played on horseback, so the term ‘football’ comes from the fact that the game is played on foot rather than on a horse.
In the 19th century, the specific type of game played under the rules established by the Football Association in England was known as association football. To differentiate it from other games, such as rugby which was known as rugby football at the time, a shortened version of the word association was derived – soccer.
Yes, the Brits actually invented the word soccer too, despite now railing against anyone who uses it to describe their national sport. The ‘socc’ part of the word is the shortened version of ‘association’, while the ‘er’ was probably added at public schools. They did this a lot, for example, rugby is still known as ‘rugger’ in some public schools.
It was in the early 20th century that football became more usual than soccer, and since Britain was still a global power at the time, it spread. Many countries adopted the new British term due to the influence of the British Empire and the spread of the sport by British expatriates, but actually, those still using the term soccer are the ones who have it right if history is anything to go by.
Regional Variations
In the United States and Canada, the term soccer distinguishes the sport from other forms of football, such as American and Canadian football. These North American variations of football have their origins in rugby football and have since become popular sports in their own right.
Their popularity hasn’t spread in the opposite direction though, and when Brits talk about football as Americans know it, they would call it American football.
The term football instead of soccer is predominantly used in Europe, South America, most of Africa, Asia, and other smaller regions. The sport’s international governing body, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), also uses football in its name, further solidifying the term’s global presence.
Some countries do have slightly different versions of football, and a very small number have different words altogether, such as Malaysia where it is called Bola Sepak (ball kick).
Cultural Influences
Language and local sports have played a significant role in determining the name preferences for the sport in different countries. In countries where another sport is called football, such as Australia and Ireland (who have Gaelic football), the term soccer is often used to differentiate between the sports.
The globalisation of the media has also contributed to the different names for the sport. As English-language media outlets broadcast matches globally, the terminology used in the coverage can influence how the sport is referred to in various regions.
The English Premier League is also the most watched in the world, which will obviously have an impact too.
It’s unlikely that anywhere will suddenly change the way they refer to the game now though. It is so well established that it would take some huge cultural event to change an entire population’s language regarding the game.
Conclusion
Today, the use of the terms soccer and football varies widely from country to country, and in some places both are used interchangeably. Everyone knows what both words mean though, so apart from some gentle teasing, using one over the other is unlikely to cause any issues.
The use of different names for the same sport can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the game, but it is simply a reflection of the different linguistic and cultural traditions of each country.