Use of "sport" as a verb

Examples: Jones sports a .330 batting average.
The Cougars sport a 2-3-1 record.

These burn my ears. Am I alone? Is there any proper time to use sport as a verb?

 

No. And No.

 

What about sporting wood?

 

I'll stipulate that exception.

 

I've got no problem with it, so long as you don't overuse it. Same with any other word, actually.*







* -- except for "plated."

 

So you find "plated" acceptable?

 

No, that one sucks.

 

Hate it, hate it, hate it.

 

I don't mind it when you're talking about an article of clothing, but "sporting an 8-2 record"? Nope.

 

Sudden veer in discussion: What about referring to what we cover as "sport" vs. "sports"?

Usually, it seems like the professor types or the high-minded intellectual types or the takeout-writing types or the Olympic writing types who refer to the world of "sport". As in: "In sport..." or "The beauty of sport is ..."

Fingernails on a blackboard to me.

Most of us are content to cover the world of "sports." Going with the singular seems pretentious, don't 'cha think?

 

well other than its the totally wrong use of the word, dunno (unless they are intending it). But it is better than the broadcasters use of lingo ( "we will 'effort' an interview")

Main Entry:
1sport Listen to the pronunciation of 1sport
Pronunciation:
\ˈspȯrt\
Function:
verb
Etymology:
Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten
Date:
15th century

transitive verb

1: to display or wear usually ostentatiously : boast <sporting expensive new shoes>

 

Then you'll hate the English.

Check out the Times of London:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/

Their sports section is called "Sport". I assume its the same for other English broadsheets.