What is the origin of the term "cap"?

[doc]

We often refer to full international appearances for the national soccer team as "caps". Where did that term come from, and what does it really mean?

[pardners]

I saw a documentary a long time ago, where the commentator was talking about the England cricket team, back in the early days when you would actually get a cap with the emblem, for every time you represented the team.  The term moved to other sports and then the Aussies picked it up and then the rest of the world...except off course the Americans, who hardly talk about 'caps'.

My memory of the details sketchy though, but it shouldn't be too hard to get the facts.

[JDB]

I saw a documentary a long time ago, where the commentator was talking about the England cricket team, back in the early days when you would actually get a cap with the emblem, for every time you represented the team.  The term moved to other sports and then the Aussies picked it up and then the rest of the world...except off course the Americans, who hardly talk about 'caps'.

My memory of the details sketchy though, but it shouldn't be too hard to get the facts.

This is about right but I thought it started with football although the cap that used to be awarded looks like a traditional cricket cap.

Wikipedia has an entry which also references football, but I do not consider that site a completely reliable source.

[Tallman]

We often refer to full international appearances for the national soccer team as "caps". Where did that term come from, and what does it really mean?

What is an International Cap ?
England's caps

[Disgruntled_Trini]

I eh know bout dat nuh
but I know bout ah "cyap" cause ah hit ah man one on Wednesday in the park

he rush in wild and scoop it straight over he head real nice and neat, had him like ah turtle stretching he neck

[FF]

I always thought CAP mean Country Appearance or Club Appearance

[TriniItalian]

FF that's cuz you NEEDS to stop thinking take 2 panadol for the pain

[trinidre]

yeah I is ah man you to hit real men cyap then 

[warmonga]

We often refer to full international appearances for the national soccer team as "caps". Where did that term come from, and what does it really mean?

Whats up dread like yu trying to copyright dat ? 
warmonga..

[kicker]

I eh know bout dat nuh
but I know bout ah "cyap" cause ah hit ah man one on Wednesday in the park

he rush in wild and scoop it straight over he head real nice and neat, had him like ah turtle stretching he neck

so how many national "cyaps" yuh have now ?

[warmonga]

I eh know bout dat nuh
but I know bout ah "cyap" cause ah hit ah man one on Wednesday in the park

he rush in wild and scoop it straight over he head real nice and neat, had him like ah turtle stretching he neck

watch how yu resting "cyap"  bredda.. here in de south side of  Chicago  man does get lock up for resting "cyap"  !!!!!!!!  dey have a serious law here in Chicago for dem badman  who like Resting "cyap" ..

[Disgruntled_Trini]

I eh know bout dat nuh
but I know bout ah "cyap" cause ah hit ah man one on Wednesday in the park

he rush in wild and scoop it straight over he head real nice and neat, had him like ah turtle stretching he neck

so how many national "cyaps" yuh have now ?

I have real cyap under meh belt
cyap local and abroad
from the park to the stadium

rush in nuh Kicker see if yuh eh get the cyao
i working on the dead ball cyap now

[morvant]

if you working on de dead ball cap yuh not ready fuh meh yet breds

[Disgruntled_Trini]

if you working on de dead ball cap yuh not ready fuh meh yet breds

the way you does talk sometimes one would think you playing in La Liga

[Pointman]

if you working on de dead ball cap yuh not ready fuh meh yet breds

the way you does talk sometimes one would think you playing in La Liga

he could be...da's ah shit league...EPL forever


MAN U forever!!!!

[Disgruntled_Trini]

if you working on de dead ball cap yuh not ready fuh meh yet breds

the way you does talk sometimes one would think you playing in La Liga

he could be...da's ah shit league...EPL forever


MAN U forever!!!!

now why you have to go and say something retarded like that
yuh went to school on the slow bus or wha??

[Pointman]

if you working on de dead ball cap yuh not ready fuh meh yet breds

the way you does talk sometimes one would think you playing in La Liga

he could be...da's ah shit league...EPL forever


MAN U forever!!!!

now why you have to go and say something retarded like that
yuh went to school on the slow bus or wha??

  to elicit dat kinda reaction