• bisby@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        Sports are called “foot” ball because they involve running and aren’t played on horses. And “ball” doesn’t mean “sphere”

        I don’t watch association, Australian, rugby or American football, but you’ve bothered the etymologist in me with your nonsense suggestion.

          • bisby@lemmy.world
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            3 days ago

            Lol.

            “Foot means played on foot” is not the same as “every other sport must be played on horse”. Football naming etymology has no impact on the naming of other sports. Chess is often played in a chair, not on foot, so it already is a non foot game. The lack of distinguishing may be to allow some chess players to optionally stand, or play from horseback if desired.

            It DOES mean though that you are not allowed to play American football on horseback.

    • Noxy@pawb.social
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      3 days ago

      they call it football but there’s never any of the guys’ feet touching any of the other guys’ balls