Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

This episode is easy so we’re looking at common football words and phrases. Things you use and need to know to play the game.

Summary

Learn more football vocabulary with Premier Skills English. Each lesson in our Premier Vocabulary section looks at one football word or phrase. This lesson looks at the word derby.

You can find more lessons on the side of this page.

Transcript

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to Premier Skills English - Premier Vocabulary.

Jack: Hi there! I’m Jack. We’re here to help you with your football English. Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time.

Rich: We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

Jack: This episode is easy so we’re looking at common football words and phrases. Things you use and need to know to play the game.

Rich: The word we are looking at in this episode is derby.

Jack: A derby is a match played between two teams from the same city or region.

Rich: Derby matches are often some of the most exciting matches of the season and are definitely played in front of some of the loudest crowds.

Jack: Managers and players want to win derby matches but I think they are most important for the fans.

Rich: School and work can be the best place in the world on a Monday morning if your team has won the Derby.

Jack: Or it could be the worst place. Best to call in sick in my opinion.

Rich: So, why do we use the word derby about these matches?

Jack: It’s not 100% certain but most people think it comes from horse racing. The Derby was an important horse race and from there the word started to be used in other sports for important races or matches.

Rich: And the match against your local rivals is always one of the most important matches of the season. We often hear the phrase local derby, too.

Jack: Other people think the word derby might not come from horse racing but a region of England called Derbyshire. Back in the 12th century, they used to play a ball game that was similar to but much more violent than today’s football.

Rich: It was played between two local teams and became known as the Derby.

Jack: There’s now a team called Derby County in Derbyshire - they play in the Championship. I’m happy the city only has one club.

Rich: The Derby Derby - yes that would be weird.

Jack: The spelling of the word derby is a bit strange. Because it’s written d e r b y It looks like it should be pronounced derby.

Rich: This is because it’s an old word and in the past, in English, people used to pronounce ‘er’ as ar.

Jack: The only other word I can think of now that has the same e r pronunciation is clerk.

Rich: And in American English, the pronunciation is different. They say derby and clerk.

Jack: But when you’re talking about football, it’s definitely derby.

Jack: So, a derby is a match between two local rivals.

Rich: Is it always based on geography?

Jack: I think so but others disagree. Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the biggest rivalries in England and some people have started to call it the North West Derby. The match between Barcelona and Real Madrid is sometimes called a derby but most call it El Clasico.

Rich: OK, let’s stick with geography and local rivals. We’re going to finish with a quiz. I’m going to name the derby and you’re going to name the clubs involved. Ready?

Rich: The Manchester Derby.

Jack: Manchester United against Manchester City.

Rich: The North London Derby.

Jack: Arsenal versus Tottenham.

Rich: The Merseyside Derby.

Jack: Liverpool v Everton.

Rich: The Tyne-Wear Derby

Jack: More difficult. Rivers. Newcastle against Sunderland.

Rich: Good.

Final whistle

Jack: There is the final whistle!

Rich: We’ll be back soon with more Premier Vocabulary from Premier Skills English.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Discuss

Does your club have a derby?

Which derby match do you think is the best?