Stupid question - football vs. soccer

[BloodyYank]

So, please forgive my yank ignorance, but I've been wondering something: I was always under the impression that football was only called soccer here in the U.S., and football just about everywhere else. Yet Konami releases Winning Eleven as Pro Evolution Soccer in the European market, and in the UK you have a television program called Soccer AM. In the words of our Jerry Seinfeld, "what's the deal?"

Just curious, thanks.

 

[Miggy]

Well everybody and his dog would say football in Europe. No idea why those two examples use soccer.

 

[luikang]

Because the world is americanized, so tell me, how does it feel to be a real american ?

 

[BloodyYank]

Because the world is americanized, so tell me, how does it feel to be a real american ?

Feels rather dull, to be honest with you.

Anyway, I did a bit of research after posting my question, and apparently the term "soccer" is a slang abbreviation of the word "association", as in Association Football. So, even though only us Americans call it soccer now, the word soccer was originated in the UK in the late 19th Century.

 

[StringerBell]

When I'm talking about the game with other fans here in NY I call Football or Soccer either or- yet when I have to explain what I'm watching and whats that weird game I'm playing to other friends not in the know I have to use the word soccer :no:

 

[Miggy]

When I was over in California I had to use Soccer when I said what sport I play. I said football to this one girl and she said "You're waaaay to skinny to play football"

Rude bitch.

 

[HH]

No one way too skinny to play American Football, I bet you could try out for a Kicker Mig. And still get paid millions for it. I have a few grudges against the sport and the money thats pumped into it.

 

[Barry]

I understand that to avoid confusion in America calling it 'soccer' works out, but if I'm talking to someone that doesn't speak the language 'football' is the proper nomenclature.

I think Konami want to avoid any kind of confusion themselves, FIFA has it easier in that way what with sticking "FIFA' before 'Football'.

 

[StringerBell]

haahah never a real big fan of Football in fact never a fan of the contact sports in general Hockey and all that. Interesting thing though if you say it this was "futbol" then most ppl in my experience understand what your talking about

 

[BloodyYank]

When I was over in California I had to use Soccer when I said what sport I play. I said football to this one girl and she said "You're waaaay to skinny to play football"

Rude bitch.

That IS rude. I wish I could say that my country gets a bum rap when we're accused of being rude, obnoxious, and stupid, but I'm afraid it's mostly the truth.

haahah never a real big fan of Football in fact never a fan of the contact sports in general Hockey and all that. Interesting thing though if you say it this was "futbol" then most ppl in my experience understand what your talking about

I've gotten in the habit of doing the same thing. I say "futbol" in a really exaggerated spanish accent.

 

[Miggy]

That IS rude. I wish I could say that my country gets a bum rap when we're accused of being rude, obnoxious, and stupid, but I'm afraid it's mostly the truth.

Nah, mate. Apart from the odd idiot the majority of the people I met from the US are awesome and friendly. Never felt so welcomed like I did in SoCal.

 

[Rainey]

I call it football, however many people here in Ireland call it soccer, due to Gaelic Football.

 

[Barry]

Well Mig, with your looks you could always go for quarterback :smug:

 

[BloodyYank]

Nah, mate. Apart from the odd idiot the majority of the people I met from the US are awesome and friendly. Never felt so welcomed like I did in SoCal.

I'm glad to hear that. I guess I'm overly critical because I've lived in this country all my life, plus the fact that the past 8 years have not been our finest hour.

 

[Miggy]

Well Mig, with your looks you could always go for quarterback :smug:

I wish I could have went to high school in the US. I'd have been such a jock.

 

[Stormrider]

Actually I believe the term soccer was coined in Britain, not America like most people believe. Back then there were 2 types of football, regular and rugby so soccer was used to end confusion between rugby.

 

[mohawk]

this is true - it is a total misconception that somehow the US invented the word Soccer - the term goes all the way back to the roots of the game - its actually more accurate to refer to football as 'soccer'.

 

[BloodyYank]

this is true - it is a total misconception that somehow the US invented the word Soccer - the term goes all the way back to the roots of the game - its actually more accurate to refer to football as 'soccer'.

Yeah, that's what I said. Back in the 19th Century, they started referring to football as association football, to distinguish it from the other sports that were also called football. Soccer is a slang abbreviation of the word "association".

 

[winston0024]

men use football ond pussies use soccer simple lol

 

[Ochseh]

A wise man once said to elijah woods, 'Stop calling it f*cking soccer!'.