Cubdriver wrote:
When I am listening to the PSM tower, I often hear 'cleared for the
option'. I assume that the tower is responding to a request (which I
didn't hear) for just such an action--touch & go, landing long, etc.
Why doesn't the tower actually repeat what is approved?

They just did, as what you heard means only one thing.

The "Pilot/Controller Glossary" defines "Option Approach", and AIM
4-3-22 describes it in detail.

"Option" would not include a long landing.