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I had another question related to AmE usage....

I found out in a Dictionary that "support" isn't common in AmE and it is BrE. So is that so? Google Ngram says that "root for" isn't really common..

Which team are you supporting?

Which team are you rooting for?

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Yes

In AmE, I hear "rooting for" far more often than "support" in this sense, and I pretty much never hear "supporters" used to mean "fans of". But "Which team are you a fan of" is more common yet. From my reading, "support" and "supporters" are indeed common in BrE.

Oddly, "support" is used quite often in AmE is similar but non-sports contexts:

  • I support the Bach Consort (usually meaning that I donate money)
  • I support the Purple party (meaning that I vote for them, or advocate for their policies)
  • I support gender equality. (meaning that I am in favor of it)

I don't know why US-English doesn't commonly use "support" ,in a sports context, but it doesn't seem to do so very often.

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  • Is "fan of" more common than "root for"?
    – It's about English
    Commented Jun 8, 2019 at 17:54
  • And one question (if you know) : why has this question turned yellow? (On the thread list)
    – It's about English
    Commented Jun 8, 2019 at 17:56
  • @It's both are common. I think "fan of" may be more common, but i'm not at all sure, and this is the kind of thing where I don't trust google Ngrams to be representative. Oh, and I don't see the questiion listed as yellow, and have no idea why you do or anyone would.
    – David Siegel
    Commented Jun 8, 2019 at 18:03
  • And what about: "Which team are you cheering for?"
    – It's about English
    Commented Jun 8, 2019 at 18:05
  • @It's Yes "cheering for" and "cheering on" can bo0th be used, with about the same meaning. I would be more apt to use these in the context of a specific game or event, not to indicate a continued support of a team.
    – David Siegel
    Commented Jun 8, 2019 at 21:43

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