to "course-correct"

[Arnold Zwicky]

On Oct 3, 2011, at 7:35 AM, Jon Lighter wrote:
>
> CNN: "How does Rick Perry course-correct?"
>
> Talking Head: "I'm not sure that he *can* course-correct."

looks like a nice back-formation, from the compound "course correction" 'correction in course'.  so in a group with other back-formations from composites of the form
 non-predicating modifier + deverbal N
("free-associate" from "free association", "gay marry" from "gay marriage").

arnold

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