Every day during the World Cup, the languagecaster team explain a football phrase or cliché connected to this summer’s tournament. Click on the link below to hear the word or phrase and you can also read the transcript. You can find many more examples by going to our football clichés here and our huge football glossary here.

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On day one of the World Cup we brought you the word vuvuzela, the plastic horn that is creating such a special atmosphere at the South African World Cup. Today, another word special to this competition, jabulani. The jabulani is the new ball being used at the tournament, the word means ‘rejoice‘ in Zulu. But the ball, made by Adidas, is not being rejoiced by some, who say that it’s flight through the air is unpredictable or that it is too light. Last night, Kawashima, Japan’s goalkeeper missed a straightforward looking save and his defenders have been quick to say that it was the jabulani moving at the last minute. Another goalkeeper, David James of England, has also criticised the ball, but he added that it was the same for everyone – a much more balanced opinion. The jabulani.

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I was born and brought up near Chester in the north west of England. I have always loved playing and talking about sport, especially football!
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Football GlossaryEpisode 56