signal caller
2
7.4
- noun
- /ˈsɪɡnəl ˈkɔːlər/
- Jargon
:
mariscal de campo
- I think he's doing OK for a first-year signal caller in this league.
- rookie signal caller
- NFL signal callers
- former signal caller
Examples
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Graham got to make his case last season when he was probably the Tribe's most consistent signal-caller.
Blog text (3) -
Then the All-Ohio signal caller hit his favorite target, junior Brandon Fritts, for a two-point conversion to tie the game at 28-28.
Blog text (5) -
Instead of having a running back to his side, the back lines up directly behind the signal caller.
Blog text (20) -
Let's take a look around the league at the newest generation of signal callers.
Blog text (23) -
Week 10 was none too kind to the NFL's signal-callers.
Blog text (19) -
The senior signal caller also added his 50th career rushing touchdown.
Blog text (7) -
Could he be a somewhat unexpected candidate who could accomplish what no Seminoles signal-caller has since 2000?
Blog text (20) -
The first reason is that we believe Webb can develop into a true franchise signal-caller.
Blog text (29) -
Mr. Wilson has been a helluva signal caller for Arkansas, and will be remembered as one of our best ever.
Blog text (21) -
In the game last night, the signal caller expertly directed the team to make a comeback.
Synonyms
587
3.9
A player in American football who leads the team's plays and usually throws the ball
1
6.7
A player who leads and directs the team's play on the field, often the quarterback
An experienced person who plans and leads a team or project
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase literally means 'a person who calls signals' and follows a productive agentive composition (signal + caller), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes someone who gives or announces signals. Although the specific American football role (usually the quarterback directing plays) is domain-specific, the core compositional meaning is transparent and easily derivable.
Etymology
The noun signal caller comes from the simple image of a player who calls out signals, short words or signs, to tell teammates what to do, and caller is the person who makes those calls. That's why a signal caller today means the player who 'directs the team's offense' in football.