As an American, you've probably grown up hearing the term "soccer" more frequently than "football". And that's because what we call soccer is known as football in the rest of the world. The sport that we call football is a completely different game, similar to rugby but with its own set of rules and traditions. In the rest of the world, football refers to what we call soccer, a sport where two teams compete to kick a ball into the opposing team's net without using their hands. So when you say "football" in America, people will assume you're talking about the NFL, not the FIFA World Cup.
Some people might argue that it's disrespectful to say "football" when you mean "soccer" in America. But the truth is, it's not really about respect or disrespect. It's more about regional language differences and understanding. When you're in America, it's more appropriate to use the term that most people understand and identify with. If you say "football", people will think you're talking about the sport with touchdowns and field goals, not the one with goals and goalkeepers.
Did you know that the term "soccer" is actually a British invention? It's derived from the term "association football" which was used to differentiate the game from rugby football. Over time, "association" was shortened to "assoc", which eventually became "soccer". So, technically, using the term "soccer" is just as authentic as saying "football".
So why do Americans call it soccer and not football? That's because when the sport was introduced in the US, football already referred to a different sport entirely. To avoid confusion, the term "soccer" was adopted. It's not about being contrary or disrespectful, it's just about clarity and understanding.
Calling soccer "football" in America isn't disrespectful per se, but it might cause some confusion. It's important to respect cultural differences and use the terminology that's most widely understood. So, if you're in America, calling soccer "football" might get you some puzzled looks.
Ultimately, whether you call it "soccer" or "football" isn't a huge deal. It's just a name. What's more important is the respect and understanding behind the words we use. As long as we're communicating effectively and respecting each other's cultural differences, that's what really matters.
In conclusion, it's not inherently disrespectful to say "football" instead of "soccer" in America. But it's important to be aware of cultural differences and to use the terminology that's most widely understood in the region you're in. Calling soccer "football" in America might cause some confusion, but it's not a major faux pas. So whether you call it soccer or football, just enjoy the game!