Category: Sports Terminology

Why is the term 'nil' used instead of 'nothing' in soccer?

In soccer, we often hear the term 'nil' being used instead of 'nothing'. This is primarily due to soccer's British origins where 'nil' is a common term for zero. The use of 'nil' helps to maintain the sport's unique vocabulary and traditions. It also helps to distinguish between a score of zero and the absence of score. So, in the world of soccer, it's not 'nothing' but 'nil' when referring to zero scores.