Published November 2, 2025
Unnecessary words? Sure, I can play that game. Let’s talk about “the quarterback position.”
One word will usually suffice.
Quarterback.
The Chiefs are set at quarterback.
How are they looking at quarterback this year?
For the first time in years, they’re loaded at quarterback.
Quarterback is almost always sufficient for the quarterback position.
Same with the running back position, the safety position, and so on.
My official position as a copy editor is that “the quarterback position” can be reduced to one word, but saying it seems to bring joy to people, and as one piece of stardust in a vast universe, It’s not my biggest worry.
I often say there’s music in language, and isn’t it true that while music is the universal language, people like different kinds of music? That should be your takeaway from this, not the two extra words in “the quarterback position.”
We’ll save “the quarterback room” for another day.
Sending love. Protect your peace.
♥
Thank you
If you appreciate what you find here and feel generous, you can check out the Tip Jar. Thank you for reading. Here’s a butterfly for you.
/”””””\ \ / /”””””\
\ 0 \( )/ 0 /
> l l <
/ o l l o \
\,,,,,,,,,/v\,,,,,,,,,/
Pat Mahomes image © Casketkrew13 | Megapixl.com
QB silhouette © Msanca | Megapixl.com
Bunny
I’m a writing teacher, and I often ask my students “Why use four words, when 2 will do?” or draw a line through all the extra verbiage and say “not wrong, just more words that you need.”
Language is absolutely music, but often the simplest tunes are the most memorable. I refer yuz to “Moon River.” Any version is great, but I like Amy Winehouse’s:
https://youtu.be/GL-EH9Jz4pI?si=zz9OIqGj5gDB5Mw4
Dee
I was prepared to ask about the quarterback room when you beat me to it!