Why is a competition between two teams called a "game" of baseball, basketball, or US football, but is called a soccer (UK football) "match"?

Because the Brits make more sense. "Game" to me suggests recreation, but there's nothing recreational about making money playing some kind of contest. I suppose "game" in its meaning of a hunted animal might make sense if we were allowed to shoot basketball players - especialy the portland Jail Blazers.

Big money is made in the game of poker, at least from what I can see on some of the cable stations. I've seen some British poker players in those games, as well.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh,

In Tennis, they have both games and matches, the former the subset of the latter, hence the expression, game set match. You say poker is a game, but you have a "heads-up match". To me, you play a game of soccer, but that could be an American reaction to a Communist sport.

It seems that you play a game, and you compete in a match. You play basketball, but you compete in track and field. I'm sure there are counter-examples, but this distinction seems at least on the surface to be adequate.

There is a tv program "Late Night Poker" which I take is fairly popular in Britain.

Only US responses so far.
On this side of the pond, the two phrases can be completely indistinguishable.

A match might refer more to a single occasion between two teams, and a game might refer more to the action itself - 11 v 11, but there is so little difference that I would expect few others to appreciate such a distinction.

quote:

There is a tv program "Late Night Poker" which I take is fairly popular in Britain.

There seem to be several such programmmes pumped out every day, so presumably they are popular with some. I can't see the fascination myself.

quote:

Originally posted by Asa Lovejoy:
I suppose "game" in its meaning of a hunted animal might make sense if we were allowed to shoot basketball players - especialy the portland Jail Blazers.

Tut,tut, tut. Giraffes are a protected species.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham Nice:

A match might refer more to a single occasion between two teams, and a game might refer more to the action itself - 11 v 11, but there is so little difference that I would expect few others to appreciate such a distinction.

Let's see how that would work....(with apologies to Joni Mtchell)

He was sittin' in the lounge
Of the Empire Hotel
He was drinkin' for diversion
He was thinkin' for himself
A little money ridin' on the Maple Leafs
Along comes a lady in lacy sleeves
She said let me sit down
You know drinkin' alone is a shame
It's a shame, it's a cryin' shame
Look at those jokers
Glued to that damn hockey match....

Nah, wouldn't work.