Tottenham v Manchester United: What does Hotspur mean?

A hotspur is defined as someone who is “a rash or impetuous person” by the Oxford English Dictionary.

Tottenham has gone by the full name of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club since April 1884, two years after the club formed.

Initially, they were just called Hotspur Football Club, having been founded by members of Hotspur Cricket Club who wanted to play football during the winter months.

The other name considered was Northumberland Rovers as the cricket club played at Northumberland Park in Tottenham. That park was named after the 14th century Duke of Northumberland, Henry Percy.

The cricket club was named after Percy – who was nicknamed ‘Harry Hotspur’ by his enemies – because of his fighting style. He was also named checked by famous playwright William Shakespeare.

Two years after the football club was formed, it was decided the club would change its name as there was already another club in London called Hotspur FC. The clubs would mistakenly receive each other’s post. Tottenham would be added to the start of the name to create Tottenham Hotspur.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.