The compound noun "sport-fishing" is a modern construction that clearly defines its purpose by combining two established English words. The first element, "sport," carries a sense of leisure and non-utilitarian pleasure, a meaning that evolved from its origins in Old French desport (to carry away, amuse). The second element, "fishing," has ancient Germanic roots, directly from the Old English activity verb fiscian. The logic of the compound is transparent: it distinguishes the recreational pursuit of catching fish from commercial or subsistence fishing. Thus, "sport-fishing" linguistically marks the activity as a pastime, an enjoyable contest with nature, rather than a means of livelihood.

Structure: sport (recreation) + fishing (the act of catching fish) - sport: From Middle English sport, short for disport (meaning diversion, amusement), from Old French desport (pastime, pleasure). In this compound, it functions as a modifier meaning "for pleasure or recreation." - fishing: From Old English fiscian (to fish), from the noun fisc (fish). It functions as the core noun, denoting the activity.