Rivals and Rivers

Your rivals were, originally, simply the people who lived on the other side of the river from you. The idea was that you were both after the same fish, and therefore rivals, when viewed from an angler's angle.

Indeed, the original meaning of rival in English was riverbank, and the sense of opponent didn't crop up until the late sixteenth century.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to shoot some South Londoners.

Like this