rugger

plural ruggers

1. uncountablerugbyFirst known use 1886

   Rugger (schools), the Rugby game at football

   1890, Albert Barrère, Charles Leland, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, volume 2, Ballantyne, page 191

   4 more examples

   That . . . . . . may for once put a full Rugger team in the field

   1886 November 10, A. Macaulay, “The Advance of Science”, in The Oxford Magazine, page 356

   Golf is perhaps seven or eight years old in Oxford, ... football, seu Rugger, sive Soccer, not more than sixteen or seventeen.

   1888 February 15, “Charley Symonds”, in The Oxford Magazine, page 224

   It was clear to me that I was dealing with a lunatic, so I thought it well before I went any further in the matter to call upon my friend Malone, whom I had known since the old days when we both played Rugger for Richmond.

   1929, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, When the World Screamed

   To complete the picture of the main line passenger workings, mention must be made of the excursions for International rugger and soccer matches. [...] For the rugger matches especially, a dozen or so packed trains from West Wales are put on [...]

   1959 April, William Jones, John Hodge, “Resorts for Railfans - 28 Cardiff”, in Trains Illustrated, page 210

   Synonyms: rugby footballer, rugby player

2. UScountableuncountablerugby player

   When you put sixty ruggers and their friends and lovers in a bar, you've really got something going.

   1977 Apr, Robert McKay, “My Heart's In Highlands, A Chasing The Ruggers”, in Cincinnati Magazine, volume 10, number 7, page 80

   4 more examples

   Some people refer to a Dropped Goal as if it were a misfortune rather than the perfection of football ... Genuine "Ruggers" will, of course, scoff at this

   1889 November 23, "Banshee", “The World of Pastime”, in The Penny Illustrated Paper, volume 57, number 1486, London, page 407

   To this day ruggers belittle soccer, and they will tell anyone who expresses the slightest interest in their game that rugby is "a ruffian's game played by gentlemen," while soccer is "a gentleman's game played by ruffians."

   1974 August, Paul Burka, “The Sport of Rough Gentlemen”, in Texas Monthly, volume 2, number 8, page 42

   Some of the world's most talented ruggers had come to New York for the weekend to play for fun. "What's football — just an Americanization of rugby," exclaimed one fan at the 38th Annual New York Sevens Tournament. … Brian Corcoran, who in 1990 played for Team USA for free, distinguished ruggers from "the spoiled, arrogant professionals you're dealing with in other sports."

   1996 December 16, Shannon Black, “Rugby: Aliens 3, Locals 0”, in New York Magazine, volume 29, number 49, page 22

   After the game, the teams adjourned to the Dolphins’ usual after-match location, O’Brien’s Irish Pub on Main Street, where they enjoyed a spirited social together: songs were sung, speeches and presentations were made, and mutual admiration was expressed, particularly toward the soldier-ruggers of the 7th for their sacrifice and dedication.

   2011 June 8, “Club sports: Touring British Army ruggers welcomed”, in Santa Monica Daily Press