Q: Why is it called soccer in the U.S. when it’s called football by the rest of the world?
—Allen Becker, Roswell
A: The word "soccer" appears to have originated in England and later brought to the United States. When rugby and soccer became popular in England in the 19th century, they were known as "rugby football" and "association football," which were shortened to rugby, or rugger, and soccer, or socker, according to a paper, "It's Football not Soccer," by Stefan Szymanski, a professor of sports management at the University of Michigan.The term "football" was already being used in the U.S. to describe American football in the early 20th century, so soccer was adopted for that sport.
Soccer was widely used in Britain between 1960 and 1980, but declined as a “reaction against the increased usage in the U.S., which seems to be associated with the high point of the (North American Soccer League) around 1980,” Szymanski wrote in May. “I’m English, and I’m in my 50s, and I remember, as a kid, soccer being a perfectly acceptable word in the U.K., without being this big no-no Americanism that it’s become,” Szymanski told the New York Times. Soccer also is used in countries such as Australia that have another form of football.
Q: Can you find out if the airport ventilation system is still being infused with aromatherapy, which started in 2009, or if it has been discontinued? This is of utmost importance to people who are chemically sensitive.
—Sydna Fisher, Dunwoody
A: Aromatherapy hasn't been used at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for "several years," a spokeswoman told Q&A on the News in an email.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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