Puzzle #409 · July 15, 2026
field goal
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Every day one two-word expression or compound word used in American English.
Maybe one reason American football (which doesn't use feet much) is called that is because field goals used to be worth more points than a touchdown.
A field goal scores by kicking or throwing the ball through the goal during regular play. But here's the weird part: field goals used to be worth 5 points, not 3. In 1883, when football scoring was invented, field goals counted more than touchdowns which were only worth 2 or 4 points). Kicking was thus the most important part of the game.
By 1909, someone realized that was backwards, and modern football was born. The field goal didn't change; the value did. One number shift remade an entire sport. See more at https://www.etymonline.com/word/field-goal
A field goal scores by kicking or throwing the ball through the goal during regular play. But here's the weird part: field goals used to be worth 5 points, not 3. In 1883, when football scoring was invented, field goals counted more than touchdowns which were only worth 2 or 4 points). Kicking was thus the most important part of the game.
By 1909, someone realized that was backwards, and modern football was born. The field goal didn't change; the value did. One number shift remade an entire sport. See more at https://www.etymonline.com/word/field-goal
Puzzle Appearances
The expression field goal has appeared in 1 puzzle:
- Puzzle #409 on July 15, 2026
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print
Google's Ngram project shows how often a pair of words has appeared in print every year since the 1800's.
Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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