If I’m talking to an English speaker from outside of the US, is there any confusion if I say “soccer”?

For example, when I was in college a friend asked for a “torch”. I was confused for quite some time, because I didn’t know it was another word for “flashlight”. Does the same thing happen with the word “soccer”? Should I clarify by saying, “…or football”?

Thank you!

  • MrNesser@lemmy.world
    10021·
    7 months ago

    English people understand the limitations Americans have to live under when it comes to language

    Edit: jesus you make little high brow joke and all the idiots gets butthurt.

      • WashedOver@lemmy.ca
        131·
        7 months ago

        When I get asked if I watch soccer as a hockey fan I have the same feelings. The Women’s version of soccer is much tougher and I would rather watch that. They take a beating and get bloodied but keep playing unlike the men falling over including the coaches from being brushed by a piece of paper.

        This video does a good job capturing the differences between coaches: https://youtu.be/9HxzLEqI-qE?si=VPWHKI081v80eA3k

        This one does a great job highlighting the competition diving angle. I think artist *artistic diving might be more applicable though: https://youtu.be/_OXdfJgCmLc?si=7n-tIrOIsxznm49W

        • Synthuir@lemmy.ml
          2·
          6 months ago

          Hey, that’s not fair! It’s actually just rugby with commercial breaks every 5 minutes!

    • matthewmercury@reddthat.com
      207·
      7 months ago

      Do English people know that they originated “soccer” as Oxford slang for “association football?” Nothing hits like the English ignorantly shitting on their colonies for adopting the stupid English practices forced upon them by the English at the time.

    • SCB@lemmy.world
      33·
      6 months ago

      One reason it’s dangerous for me to drink in the UK is that everyone from the UK sounds like a small child to an American.

      So yeah, big language differences. Some soccer hooligan would get all mad at the telly about his footy and I’d end up being stabbed for laughing.