soccer

[ludwig]

What are the origins of the word 'soccer' as an alternative to football?

[Quizmonkey]

Simply from the letters in the middle of 'association' (as in Association Football, as opposed to American football).

[Quizmonster]

As Quizmonkey says above, except that the comparison was probably with rugby football rather than American football. It probably started life as a bit of English public school language by the same process as 'rugby' became 'rugger'.
This question was dealt with on a recent 'Balderdash & Piffle' programme on TV which did not - as best I recall - come up with anything more specific.

[ludwig]

thanks guys. Anyone remember 'Star Soccer' in the seventies? muddy pitches, jumpers for goalposts - Marvellous, isn't it?