WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023
Why do we say Australia and New Zealand are ‘Down Under’? Women’s World Cup 2023
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is being held ‘down under’ - but what does the term mean?
‘Oz’ and ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’ are two names that you may associate with Australia and New Zealand, the co-hosts of this year’s Women’s World Cup. Together, however, the two countries are often referred to as being ‘down under’, a term that can be used in just about any context when talking about the region of the world - but what is the meaning?
The World Cup has thrown up lots of surprises so far, with La Roja being thrashed by Nadeshiko, The Stars and Stripes just about squeezing past A Seleção das Quinas, Olympic champions The Canucks going home early as well as slim wins for The Lionesses, the European champions. Make sure you’re up to date with the guide to our team nicknames as well as all the Aussie slang!
What does ‘down under’ mean?
The term ‘down under’ comes from the geographical location of the two countries, with the term coming from the fact that they are both located in the southern hemisphere. It is said that European explorers first came up with the term in the 19th century when they were searching for land below Asia. The term has since been widely used in media coverage as a slang term, reaffirming its meaning and common usage.
The distances between Australia/New Zealand with other nations and continents also adds to the sense of separation from the rest of the world, hence the nickname giving the pair of nations a feeling of distance from the the visiting World Cup fans.
Whoever you’re supporting in the World Cup, you can cheer them on like a local now you’ve learnt the lingo. Make sure to check out the rest of AS USA’s Women’s World Cup coverage throughout the tournament!