"way overpay" as a unit

[ronbutters at AOL.COM]

Well, "way overpay" seems at worst to be nothing more complicated than a back formation from the past-participle form "way overpaid." (And an ADJ form, not ADV.) However, it is productive in the sense of 'far too greatly": there is, for example, "way overrepresent," as well as "way overanalyze."

Sent from my iPad

On Jun 3, 2011, at 5:50 PM, victor steinbok <aardvark66 at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> This is another usage flag that appears to be quite common, but still grates
> on my ears. I have no problem with "way ADV". Perhaps there are instances of
> "way V" that work--I can't think of any, at the moment, but they might
> exist". But "to way overpay" just seems wrong...
>
> With the Globe’s business having stabilized and the Times Co.’s debt burden
>> eased, Edmonds writes, “It looks to me like a keeper for the company--unless
>> someone comes forward with cash and is prepared to way overpay.”
>
> http://www.dankennedy.net/
>
> VS-)
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org