quarterback English · revision 14907

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1876}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkwɔː.tə.bæk/, US /ˈkwɔːr.t̬ɚ.bæk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound, [[af|en|quarter|back]], named from the player's position at the start of play, between the halfback and the centre.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The position in American football: 1876 in Etymonline, 1879 in Merriam-Webster, 1895 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989) The OED also has an Australian and New Zealand use from 1891.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Because the quarterback on the field usually directed the team's plays, the word came to mean a leader of an operation: the verb from 1952 and the noun from 1961.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, to play quarterback, is from 1945 in Etymonline, 1948 in the OED and 1892 in Merriam-Webster.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) A ''Monday morning quarterback'', one who second-guesses decisions afterwards, is by 1932; it began as professional players' slang for sportswriters, since games were played on Sundays.^(Etymonline) ''Quarterback clubs'' of supporters are from 1948.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1876 – the football position.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1892 – to quarterback (verb).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1932 – Monday morning quarterback.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1948 – quarterback club.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1952 – to direct an operation.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1961 – a leader (figurative).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(American and Canadian football)'' The player positioned behind the centre who directs the attacking play and usually calls the signals.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(figurative)'' A person who directs an operation; a leader.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To play quarterback; to direct the offence of a team.^(AHD)

+ # To lead or direct an operation.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Monday morning quarterback]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cornerback]]

+ * [[linebacker]]

+ * [[quarter]]

+ * [[back]]

+ * [[halfback]]

+ * [[fullback]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}