1810: rugby (and american football) Nov 29, 2019

While 'baseball', 'basketball', 'football', and even 'golf' is named after a feature of the sport, 'rugby' is named for a school. The sport, technically called 'rugby football' came from the variation of association football (soccer) in 1845, developed in the Rugby school, in Warwickshire. Indeed, American football came as a variation of this game, and hence the continued usage of the term 'football', and the similar oblong ball-shape.

Mark your calendars, only 10 days left until the 5th-year anniversary.

Support Word Facts at patreon.com/wordfacts