|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
It is half-time in the Apple Cup -- the annual football game between the Fighting Cougars of Washington State University and the lowly Dawgs of the University of Washington. The Cougars lead 13-7.
Commenting on one broken-up play, the sportscaster said that the linebacker did as good a job "defensing" the play as one is likely ever to see. Really.
I understand the relationship between defend and defender and defense but I musta missed the connection which impels one toward "defensing."
TEd will likely suggest that defensing is de barrier which keeps de people out of de yard.
Last edited by Father Steve; 11/20/05 02:05 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
I don't think the sportscaster (would you like sugar with that?) had been properly arrived before the game.
formerly known as etaoin...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 270
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 270 |
Say, do you ever wonder how much solecism would it take to make Father Steve's head explode? 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
Suggest is not strong enogh in that context, Fr. Steve.
TEd
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Mommeeee!!! Mommeeee!! They're using words in a way that I wouldn't!!! Make them stop!!! Mommeeee!!! 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
Defence. Defense. v. obs. To provide with a defence or defences; to defend, protect, or guard.
1559. Peter Morwyng. Evonymus. 307. A bely of glass diligently defenced with clay.
Too bad it fell out of use.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
It seems to me that this usage is noticeably different in meaning from "defend"* and saying it another way would only be too awkwardly worded to be useful in the context of live sportscasting.
Whether you feel the phrase used for "defensing the play" should be "defending the play", which I would take to mean arguing for its use, or just "defending" which is too general.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Is the accent on the first syllable, as it is in the noun in a sports context?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
Is the accent on the first syllable, as it is in the noun in a sports context?
No pronuciation is given for the word.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
I'm not big into sports, but it seems that the usage of defensing as a sports term is rather well established. (Just googling 'round a bit.) There're even a couple of books published with the word under consideration in the title. My favorite is Defensing the Run and Shoot by Bob Kenig.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,331
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
830
guests, and
1
robot. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
