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footy


I grew up in Queensland (Ipswich), and followed the local football (Rugby League) with my father an ex-player. We always went to the "football" never to the "footy". I moved to Melbourne in 1969 and everyone there was going to the "footy". I moved to Sydney in 1981 and people here at that time went to the "football" irrespective of code. I now notice frequent use of the word "footy" in relation to the local Rugby League code, on radio, TV and in conversation. Is this an example of Victoria's name for its beloved "footy" becoming a generic term due to the extended influence of Aussie Rules by TV coverage and teams playing in Sydney and Brisbane. As I am interested in all codes my own definitions are footy is AFL, Rugby is Union, Football is League and soccer is soccer: I'm off to the footy to barrack for the Swans.

Contributor's comments: In Melbourne so far as I can remember from the 1950s, 'footy' has always referred to Australian Rules football. 'The footy' always meant the games between the teams in the League, originally the VFL, later the AFL.