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Can we finally put one of the world’s most persistent and annoying myths to bed?

The United States did not invent the word “soccer.”

I know. I know.

Half the world just threw a yellow card at me.

Every four years, when the World Cup rolls around, social media fills up with people blaming Americans for calling football “soccer.” According to the internet, this is apparently one of the great crimes of modern civilization.

There is only one problem.

It isn’t true.

The history is actually much more interesting.

Where Football Came From

The word football originated in Britain long before the modern games existed.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not called football because the ball was kicked with the foot. Many games involved kicking.

The term largely distinguished games played on foot from sports played on horseback by the aristocracy.

Over time, Britain developed numerous forms of football.

Some schools played one version.

Other schools played another.

Some allowed carrying the ball.

Others did not.

Rules varied widely depending on where you played.

As Britain industrialized, people wanted standardized rules.

That led to an important split.

In 1863, the Football Association was formed to establish rules for what became known as Association Football.

Meanwhile, Rugby Football continued on its own path.

Now things get interesting.

Britain Invented “Soccer”

The word “soccer“ did not originate in America.

It came from Britain.

In the late 1800s, British university students had a habit of shortening words and adding “-er” endings.

Rugby became “rugger.”

Association Football became “assoc.”

Eventually, “assoc” evolved into “soccer.”

In other words, the British created the word.

Not Americans.

The British.

The same people who now look horrified when someone uses it.

History has a sense of humor.  

So, Why Does America Use It?

Because America ended up with two sports competing for the same name.

As Rugby Football evolved in North America, it gradually transformed into what we now call American football.

By the early 20th century, the term “football” in the United States overwhelmingly referred to the American version of the game.

At that point, using the British nickname “soccer” made practical sense.

It helped distinguish Association Football from American football.

Americans simply kept using the British term after Britain largely stopped.

That is the part people tend to forget.

The Rest of the World Joins In

Most countries eventually settled on some version of football.

Football.

Futebol.

Fútbol.

Fußball.

And dozens of variations depending on language.

The United States became the odd one out.

Which is perfectly fine.

Countries use different words for all sorts of things.

The British call elevators lifts.

Americans call them elevators.

The British call truck drivers lorry drivers.

Americans call them truck drivers.

Nobody starts an international incident over it.

Well, usually.

The Real Irony

The funniest part of this entire debate is that people often blame Americans for a word invented in Britain.

Imagine inventing a nickname, abandoning it, watching someone else continue using it, and then spending the next century complaining about it.

I think England was bitter about losing the revolution, and this is how they got even: a century of ridicule.

That is essentially what happened.

The United States did not ruin football.

The United States did not invent soccer.

The United States simply kept using a British nickname that Britain itself created.

For once, America may actually be innocent.

And considering our historical track record, we should probably enjoy the rare occasion while it lasts.

One Small Historical Nuance

While Britain unquestionably created the word “soccer,” the primary name of the sport in Britain has historically been “football.” “Soccer” was originally a nickname and was never the game’s formal name. So the strongest argument is not that Britain called it “soccer” instead of “football”. The strongest argument is that Britain invented and widely used the nickname before Americans adopted it. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Britain invented football.
Britain invented soccer.
America just kept using one of Britain’s nicknames. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Final Whistle

So the next time someone complains that Americans call it soccer, remember this:

The word was born in Britain.

The Americans just inherited it.

If you want to file a complaint, you may need to send it back to the original manufacturer.

The US did not invent the game or the word, but they certainly took steps to change and corrupt the game.

Gripe: When Power, Politics, and Money Mean More Than Honesty and Integrity in Sport, the Games Are Not Worth Playing.

Sources and Further Reading

Britannica – Why Do Some People Call Football “Soccer”?
Probably the best single source for your argument. Britannica explains that “soccer” is British in origin, not American, and grew out of Oxford student slang based on “Association Football.” It also explains why Americans continued using the term after American football became dominant.
Britannica: Why Do Some People Call Football “Soccer”?

Britannica – History of Football (Soccer)
Provides background on the formation of the Football Association in 1863 and the standardization of Association Football.
Britannica: Football (Soccer) History

Merriam-Webster – Origin of the Word Soccer
A concise explanation showing that “soccer” comes from “association football” and was first used in Britain in the late 19th century.
Merriam-Webster: Soccer Word History

Etymonline – Etymology of Soccer
A respected etymology source traces “soccer” back to British university slang derived from “Assoc.” (Association Football).
Etymonline: Soccer Etymology

TIME Magazine – Why Do Americans Call It Soccer Instead of Football? Blame England
A readable overview of the historical irony that England created the word “soccer” and used it for decades before Americans became associated with it.
TIME: Blame England for Soccer