I understand why people play {soccer}. ... I even learned how to talk the game. It was the opposite of trash talking-tidy talking. I suppose you'd have to call it. If you did something good, it was brilliant; something less than brilliant was useless; if all of you were useless together, you were rubbish; and if a person did something brilliant that nonetheless became useless, everyone cried, 'Oh, unlucky!' – 216
In "Paris to the Moon," Adam Gopnik reflects on his journey of understanding soccer, a sport that initially seemed foreign to him. He describes how he immersed himself in the game, not only learning the rules but also adopting the unique language that fans and players use to communicate. This involvement allowed him to appreciate the different levels of performance in the sport, where praise and criticism are delivered through specific terms that convey a sense of camaraderie among players and supporters.
Gopnik emphasizes the nuances of this linguistic culture, where terms like "brilliant," "useless," and "rubbish" denote varying degrees of success and failure. He highlights the community aspect of these expressions, with fans and players collectively navigating the emotional highs and lows of the game. The term "unlucky" serves as a reminder of the thin line between success and failure in soccer, encapsulating the respect for skill while acknowledging the role of chance in the sport. This engaging observation showcases the rich tapestry of language that surrounds soccer, bringing people together through a shared passion.