Soccer and Football: Correct Terminology
The terms "soccer" and "football" are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different sports in the United States and the rest of the world.
In the United States, "soccer" is the preferred term, while in the rest of the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and most other countries, "football" is the widely used term.
This difference in terminology can lead to confusion, especially when discussing sports with people from different countries.
History of the Terms
The term "soccer" originated in Britain in the late 19th century, where it was used to distinguish the sport from other forms of football, such as rugby football and association football.
The term "soccer" is believed to have been coined by Charles Wreford-Brown, a British football player, in the 1880s.
"Soccer" was a joke, a corruption of "association football," but it stuck.
Christopher Buckley, author of "The Ideology of Football"
Global Usage
- In the United States, "soccer" is the preferred term, used by the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer League.
- In the rest of the world, "football" is the widely used term, including in the United Kingdom, Australia, and most other countries.
- The International Olympic Committee uses the term "football" for the men's competition and "soccer" for the women's competition.
"The use of 'soccer' instead of 'football' is a peculiarly American anomaly."
David Goldblatt, author of "The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football"
Resumé
The terms "soccer" and "football" are used to refer to the same sport, but with different terminology in the United States and the rest of the world. The history of the terms dates back to the late 19th century, and global usage varies depending on the region.