answersLogoWhite

0

The proper name of the sport is Association football (both words are part of the game's name; simply "football" is insufficient, though common). It refers to the game that is played using the IFAB's Laws of the Game, such as in the FIFA World Cup. The name is a reference to the English Football Association, which was (originally, and quite literally) an association of schools that agreed to use the same set of rules. Before the rules were codified into the first widely-accepted edition of the London Rules in 1863, each school had its own version of the rules.

The term "soccer" was coined in 1871 upon the foundation of the Rugby Football Union, an offshoot rule set originating from a disagreement during the codification of the London Rules (now known as IFAB'sLaws of the Game), in order to differentiate the different versions of football. The word itself was derived from the third through the fifth letters of "Association" ("soc") and used in a diminutive manner, much like those who call it "Football" might shorten the name to "footy".

Generally, the term "football" refers to a category or class of game, that is, one played with a ball and involves using the feet for a purpose other than running (or hurting people). In most parts of the world, local usage of the term refers to the most popular form of football played in the region, usually Association football.

In non-English-speaking countries, the game's name often means "football", such as "fútbol" in Spanish and "voetbal" in Dutch. This is an extension of the regional aspect of the name game, as explained above. If you translate these words into American English, they will mean "soccer", but a translation to British English will yield "football". The sport is called "football" in all of South America and Asia, most of Africa and Europe, and just a few places in Australia and North America (the usage in Antarctica is unknown, as the penguins aren't very talented and don't talk much).

Other forms of football include Rugby Union ("rugger"), Rugby League, American football (NFL or Gridiron football), Gaelic football (in Ireland), Australian Rules football, and numerous other lesser-known or obsolete rule sets. Even Kickball is sometimes called "football" by a very tiny population! These other football games are usually called "football" in regions and among groups where they are most popular.

In the United States, Ireland, Australia, and most of Canada and South Africa (and formerly, New Zealand), for instance, the more popular local football games are called "football" (such as NFL/Gridiron football in the United States). In such places, the term "soccer" is preferred in reference to Association football, and even defined as such in their dictionaries.

It is interesting to note, as mentioned above, that the term "soccer" was invented in England by the people who codified it - the same people many of whom now chide Americans for using that term! Conversely, some Americans who prefer the British term jokingly refer to Gridiron football as "throw-ball", much to the delight of their neighbors from across the pond.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

JudyJudy
Simplicity is my specialty.
Chat with Judy
DevinDevin
I've poured enough drinks to know that people don't always want advice—they just want to talk.
Chat with Devin
ReneRene
Change my mind. I dare you.
Chat with Rene
More answers

People around the world: Football

U.S: Soccer

User Avatar

nlsc

Lvl 4
4y ago
User Avatar
User Avatar

Sabin

Lvl 1
3y ago
Not just Americans. Australians also.

Americans call it soccer

User Avatar

alexrmk11

Lvl 5
3y ago
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is Association Football sometimes called Soccer?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General History

Why is it called soccer?

it was originally called football everywhere but people started calling it soccer short for soccer association


How did you come up with the name soccer?

Football in England is run by the Football Association. Rugby is known as Rugby Football. To distinguish between the two people called football Association Football. The word 'association' was eventually shortened to 'soccer' by the general public.


Does soccer have another name for it like football?

Soccer is referred to as football in the United Kingdom.Answer'Soccer' is alternative name for 'Association Football'. The word Soccer started as a phonetically abbreviated vernacular word for Association football coined by English public school students who took the 'soc' from 'Association' and put an 'er' on the end. The same students called Rugby football 'Rugger' but this word has largely fallen out of use. Typically an Oxford University student who played Association football and Rugby football would be described as "an Oxforder who plays Soccer and Rugger". Association Football was coded in 1863 and this is why prior to this the word Soccer did not exist.


Soccer vs football?

It depends on what you mean by soccer vs football. If you are referring to the beautiful game. Most countries and territories call it football or something similar to the name. However, some countries say soccer(Association Football) because they have other sports or versions of football, such as American Football, Canadian Football, Australian Football, Gaelic Football and Rugby Football.


What the origin of soccer?

Soccer originally came from England while a few teenagers were mucking around in a college football match.A game played in the streets in England in which players were allowed to use any part of the body, including feet and hands, to take the ball from one side to the other. From this game derived Soccer, Football, and Rugby.