Where did the name soccer come from and why is it called football in Europe?
ANSWER from John Cabrera on 22 November 2003: Games involving pushing or kicking round and oval balls can be traced back to antiquity. The Romans introduced a football type game, called “harpastum” to Britain, from where the game evolved into numerous forms including what is now called soccer in the US. This game is usually called “football” in the UK and, after adjustments for local spelling (e.g. “ftbol” in Spain), throughout most of the world. However, the game is also called “soccer” in the UK: the term is most commonly used in British newspapers, television and radio. People discussing games in the pub rarely use the term “soccer”. Harpastum was more like modern rugby than soccer. However, until rugby’s legendary birth at Rugby School in England*, running with the ball was against the rules of football. After the events at Rugby School, running with the ball gained in appeal, and so rugby evolved as a separate game from football/soccer. The full and correct name of soccer is Assoc
