For as concerning football playing, I protest unto you it may be rather called a friendly kind of fight than a play or recreation, a bloody or murmuring practice than a fellowly sport or pastime.

-Stubbes, Philip
  Anatomie of Abuses in the Realme of England.

Lady Peabury was in the morning room reading a novel; 892 early training gave a guilty spice to this recreation, for she had been brought up to believe that to read a novel before luncheon was one of the gravest sins it was possible for a gentlewoman to commit.

-Waugh, Evelyn Arthur StJohn
  'An Englishman's Home'.