track » tract

Classification: English – final d/t-deletion

Spotted in the wild:

  • “What software do you guys use to keep tract of the many different programs you all are in? I mean as far as the dividends and spends go and…” (link)
  • “Tenure Tract Associate/Full Professor, Genetics Specialty. School of Nursing. Clemson University invites applications for the position of…” (link)
  • “Other options include recessed or tract lighting above buffets or breakfronts.” (link)

Analyzed or reported by:

  • Wade Hassler (link)
  • David Bowie (ADS-L, 2 May 2006)

Hassler’s comment (of 25 February 2005) in the database cited “keep tract of”. Bowie reported: ” I just got final projects in from the students in my graduate class, and one of them consistently writes about ‘tracts’ within the English major in her introduction,” and added that “‘tracts’ makes sense, if one thinks of the definition of something relatively small and separate from other tracts in the area.” Following up on Bowie, Larry Horn cited “tenure tract” (seconded by Beverly Flanigan, who noted that this one had even been used by members of her department) and “tract lighting” (lighting appropriate for tract houses, presumably).

The opposite reshaping, “tract” >> “track” is already in the database, here.

| link | entered by Arnold Zwicky, 2006/05/02 |

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