Why do the British call it Football? Unpacking the Soccer Terminology Debate

The British call it football because the game originated in England where it became widely popular. Football is a term used to describe a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word football normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. The sports most frequently referred to as simply football are Association Football, Gridiron Football, Australian Rules Football, Rugby Football, and Gaelic Football. These different variations of football are known as football codes.

The origins of the game of football in England trace back to at least the eighth century. However, the sport as it is known today developed in the 19th century with the formation of the Football Association in England in 1863, which set forth the rules for Association Football. The term “soccer,” a colloquial abbreviation of “association” derived from the official name “Association Football,” was also coined in England, around the same time the sport was codified.

While soccer gained international popularity, the term football remained the preferred word in Britain for the game that involves kicking a ball into a goal to score points. This distinction in terminology also reflects the different cultural attachments to the sport in both Britain and other parts of the world, where other forms of football became dominant. Consequently, football remains the term embraced within the UK for the beautiful game played on a rectangular grass pitch with a spherical ball.

Historical Origins of the Term “Football”

The term “football” in Britain refers to a game where players predominantly use their feet to propel a ball toward the goal. This section traces the evolution of the sport, primarily focusing on its nomenclature and rule development.

Early History and Etymology

The history of football spans many cultures and centuries, with various forms of ball games played that could be recognized as early versions of the sport. “Football” as a name likely emerged to distinguish games played “on foot” rather than on horseback, common among the aristocracy’s sports. During the Middle Ages, different communities in England had their own versions of football, which were collectively recognized for having few rules and involving a lot of physical force to move a ball towards certain goals or target areas.

19th Century Developments

By the 19th century, distinct variations of football had developed. The English public schools and universities played crucial roles in transforming these chaotic contests into organized sports. In 1848, Cambridge University became the birthplace of standardized regulations, promulgating the “Cambridge Rules,” which were pivotal in shaping modern football. As sports clubs formed, so too did the need for distinct regulations. This period saw the divergence of association football and rugby football. “Association football” became codified in 1863 with the founding of The Football Association in England. Some used the nickname “assoccer” for association football, which evolved into “soccer,” a term that later became popular in countries with their own forms of football, such as the United States and Australia.

Football Vs. Soccer: Semantic Evolution

This section examines the terminological distinction between “football” and “soccer,” tracing the historical roots and cultural influences that led to the current usage of both terms.

Rise of Different Football Codes

The term “football” historically refers to a variety of games played on foot where teams aim to move a ball toward a goal area or over a line. Different forms of football evolved in Britain, each with their own rules. Association football emerged in 1863 when the Football Association in England standardized a set of rules. Other forms included Rugby football, which allowed carrying the ball, and gridiron football developed in the United States, resembling a form of rugby with distinct changes.

• British Influence: ‘Football’ in British English typically means association football.
• American English and Gridiron: In America, ‘football’ refers to American football, a game with marked differences from association football, leading to the usage of ‘soccer’ to avoid confusion.

American Influence and Differentiation

As American culture and American football grew in popularity, the necessity to differentiate between the two types of football led to the adoption of the term “soccer” in the U.S. The name “soccer” itself is derived from an abbreviation and slight alteration of “association” from association football.

• Americanism in Language: ‘Soccer’ is considered an Americanism, despite the term originating from British English as a short form for “association soccer football.”
• Linguist Perspectives: Linguists note that differentiation in terminology often arises from practical needs. In American English, the term “soccer” has cemented its place due to the prevalence of American football in American culture.

Both terms highlight an evolution of language shaped by cultural and sporting preferences in different English-speaking countries.

Cultural Impact and Global Spread

Football’s profound influence on societies and cultures across the globe is evident in its widespread popularity and the significant events that underscore its international significance.

World Cup and Global Recognition

The FIFA World Cup, first held in 1930, has become a pivotal event, not only in the world of sports but also in international relations and cultural exchanges. This tournament brings nations together in a celebration of the sport, transcending geopolitical boundaries. During World War II, matches were put on hold, highlighting football’s importance as it was sorely missed by fans around the world. Brazil’s emergence as a dominant force in the World Cup further illustrates football’s global reach.

Influence of Media and Language

The expansion of football into global consciousness is partly attributed to the media’s role in broadcasting matches to viewers far beyond the Atlantic. English-language news outlets have played a key role in framing football as the “beautiful game” and establishing it as part of international popular culture. The British terminology of calling the sport “football” is widely adopted in most countries, reflecting Britain’s early influence on the game. American culture has adapted this term to “soccer,” a clear indication of how language and media influence the sport’s localized identity.

Contemporary Usage and Perspectives

In the United Kingdom, the term “football” commonly refers to the sport involving a spherical ball played on a field; however, internationally, this terminology can vary, leading to differing perspectives on the proper nomenclature.

British Sporting Identity

In England, “football” is the traditional term for the sport known globally as association football. This naming convention dates back to games played on foot, as opposed to those on horseback, and as such, it is deeply rooted in British culture. The term remains a point of national pride especially linked to the country’s historical contributions to the sport. From the fields of Eton to the stadiums of the English Premier League, “football” symbolizes not just a game, but an integral part of British communal life. British English consistently favors “football” over “soccer,” a term seen by many Brits as an Americanism, despite its origins in England itself.

Term	Usage in British English	Usage in American English
Football	Refers to association football	Typically refers to American football
Soccer	Seldomly used, may be seen as American	Commonly used to distinguish from American football

International Views on Football Terminology

Across the Atlantic, in the United States, the term “soccer” is used to describe the sport known as “football” in the UK. This difference largely results from the prevalence of American football, which occupies a significant place in American sports culture. Consequently, “soccer” has become the standard American English term to avoid confusion. In other countries such as Australia, the term “football” can reference varied codes like Australian rules football, rugby league, and rugby union, adding to the global divergence in terminology. The debate over the correct name often plays out in public forums, with prominent platforms like Twitter hosting discussions that reflect the rivalry between different dialects and cultural understandings. These discussions are not merely academic or trivial; rather, they reveal the complex ways in which language both shapes and mirrors national identities and athletic heritages.

Linguistic Analysis of “Football” Names

In exploring the varied terminology used for the sport known globally as football, it’s evident that linguistic factors and regional cultural differences play significant roles in the names attributed to the game.

Linguistics Behind Sports Terminology

The terms “football” and “soccer” have their origins in England. The sport, initially referred to as “association football,” was coined in the 1860s amid other games played on foot, like “rugger” for rugby football. Students at the University of Oxford abbreviated “association football” to “assoccer” which eventually became “soccer.” Conversely, the term “football” itself aptly describes a game played on foot, distinguishing it from sports played on horseback.

Cultural and Regional Variations

• British English vs. American English: In the UK, the term “football” refers to what Americans know as soccer. On the other hand, “football” in the United States and Canada refers to a completely different sport (American football) with its own set of rules and gameplay, synonymous with “gridiron football” to non-Americans.
• Regional Adaptation: Interestingly, while British English reverted to using “football,” the term “soccer” stuck in America, Canada, Australia, and some other countries to differentiate it from their own versions of football.
• American Adaptation: “Soccer” was adopted in America to distinguish it from American football, which had started to gain its own identity as a separate sport, particularly in collegiate athletics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The word “gridiron” refers to the grid-like lines on the American football field.
• International Perspective: Despite these differences, “football” as a term is widely understood across the world to refer to the game governed by FIFA, and only a few English-speaking countries use “soccer” in official contexts.

By recognizing the distinctions in terminology, we gain a better understanding of not only the linguistic evolution but also the cultural significance and adaptation of the names given to this widely played sport.

Why do the British call it Football? – Conclusion

In the United Kingdom, the word “football” historically refers to a ball game played on foot, as opposed to games played on horseback. The sport’s official name, association football, was initiated to distinguish it from other forms of football played at the time. The simplification of the term to “football” fits within the lexicon of British culture, where the game has long-standing roots and enjoys a significant following.

The prevalence of the word “soccer,” a derivative of “association,” emerged as a colloquial abbreviation among British university students, but it is primarily used in countries where another form of football is more dominant—as in the United States with American football.

Globally, the influence of British football has led to a widespread embrace of the term “football,” aligning with the sport’s fundamental action of kicking the ball with the foot. While the word “soccer” might be utilized in specific regions, “football” remains the predominant term for the sport both in the UK and in international circles where it is one of the most popular games with a massive cultural impact.