Soccer

The term soccer comes from a time when the sport needed to be distinguished [blank] its cousin, rugby football. Back in England, where both games originated, soccer is actually a nickname derived from association football, the official name [blank] the game we know and love that involves kicking a ball into a goal. The association got snipped and slapped with an er, giving birth to soccer. It stuck around, especially in places like the United States and Australia, [blank] they already had their own versions of football. So, while most of the world passionately calls it football, Americans and a few others hold on to soccer to avoid confusion with their own gridiron and Aussie rules games. It's all about keeping things clear [blank] still kicking around the same beloved ball.