Language Differences between USA and UK
#91
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,452
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Hmm. The plot thickens.
I have looked online, and the origin of soccer is defined as British late nineteenth century abbreviation of Association.
HOWEVER, my ancient printed edition of the Complete Oxford has NO mention of soccer.
My main complaint about the OED is that it includes too many words of uncertain origin. I would really be surprised if the word did exist but was not mentioned in the OED.
Anyone have any better origin?
I have looked online, and the origin of soccer is defined as British late nineteenth century abbreviation of Association.
HOWEVER, my ancient printed edition of the Complete Oxford has NO mention of soccer.
My main complaint about the OED is that it includes too many words of uncertain origin. I would really be surprised if the word did exist but was not mentioned in the OED.
Anyone have any better origin?
#92
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Bit of a First World Problem we've got going on here
#93
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
And it is not.
More enlightenment needed.
#94
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
I've also always thought that soccer comes from Association. The two forms of football in the UK in the 19th C. were Association and Rugby Football = soccer & rugger.
#95
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Used at my school by the Welsh games teachers for whom rugby was football.
#97
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 270
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
The difference between Americans and the English is that Americans think 100 years is a long time and that the English think 100 miles is a long way!
#98
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,452
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Hmm not sure how to explain that. I must admit I've only looked at the entry in the latest print ed (1998) and the online edition, which is basically the 1998 edition, updated continuously. When I get to the library I'll see if I can find a paper trail in older dictionaries...
#99
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Maybe in the 1930's it was considered to be slang, an informal abbreviation, or otherwise not worthy of inclusion in a reference to the proper use of the King's English.
#100
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Hmm not sure how to explain that. I must admit I've only looked at the entry in the latest print ed (1998) and the online edition, which is basically the 1998 edition, updated continuously. When I get to the library I'll see if I can find a paper trail in older dictionaries...
#101
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Really interesting article Novo. Thank you. Seem pretty conclusive, and very much in tune with everything one reads online.
So why did it NOT appear in between? It is not in my 1971 edition, which is the miniaturised full copy, and which I have always understood to be just an updated edition of the 1930s one, unlike the 1998 complete rewrite?
Unfortunately, I will not be able to get into the Bodleian before the autumn. So Robin please let me know how you get on.
So why did it NOT appear in between? It is not in my 1971 edition, which is the miniaturised full copy, and which I have always understood to be just an updated edition of the 1930s one, unlike the 1998 complete rewrite?
Unfortunately, I will not be able to get into the Bodleian before the autumn. So Robin please let me know how you get on.
#102
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Really interesting article Novo. Thank you. Seem pretty conclusive, and very much in tune with everything one reads online.
So why did it NOT appear in between? It is not in my 1971 edition, which is the miniaturised full copy, and which I have always understood to be just an updated edition of the 1930s one, unlike the 1998 complete rewrite?
Unfortunately, I will not be able to get into the Bodleian before the autumn. So Robin please let me know how you get on.
So why did it NOT appear in between? It is not in my 1971 edition, which is the miniaturised full copy, and which I have always understood to be just an updated edition of the 1930s one, unlike the 1998 complete rewrite?
Unfortunately, I will not be able to get into the Bodleian before the autumn. So Robin please let me know how you get on.
#103
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,452
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Yup I have that ed in my library, but I'm on holiday now, poor me!
#104
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
There have been a pile of programmes on British tv with 'soccer' in the title over the years including Soccer Sunday in the 70s and Soccer AM now. I'm sure we called it soccer at school in the 70s. (From an Aus perspective, I've never worked out why Aussie Rules is called football when they rarely touch the ball with their feet.