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3001 entries found
back off (v.)
"retreat, stop annoying someone," by 1938, from the verbal phrase, from back (v.) + off (adv.).
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back seat (n.)

also back-seat, 1832, originally of coaches, from back (adj.) + seat (n.). Used figuratively for "less or least prominent position" by 1868. Back-seat driver attested by 1923.

You know him. The one who sits on the back seat and tells the driver what to do. He issues a lot of instructions, gives advice, offers no end of criticism and doesn't do a bit of work. ["The Back Seat Driver," Wisconsin Congregational Church Life, May 1923]
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back up (v.)
1767, "stand behind and support," from back (v.) + up (adv.). Meaning "move or force backward" is by 1834. Of water prevented from flowing, by 1837.
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back-ache (n.)
also backache, "dull or continuous pain in the back," c. 1600, from back (n.) + ache (n.).
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back-beat (n.)
1928, in jazz, from back (adj.) + beat (n.).
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back-breaking (adj.)
"physically demanding" (of manual labor), 1849; see back (n.) + break (v.).
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back-formation (n.)

also back formation, "word formed from an existing word, often by removal of a suffix or supposed suffix," by 1887, from back (adv.) + formation.

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back-slang (n.)
"words pronounced or written backwards or nearly so," 1860, from back (adj. or adv.) + slang (n.).
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back-to-nature (adj.)
1915, from the adverbial phrase.
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backbencher (n.)
1897 in a parliamentary context (originally Canadian), from back bench (1874 in this sense), from back (adj.) + bench (n.); occupants of the rear seats being the least-prominent politicians.
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