Etymologically
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈbækˌʌp/[1]

Etymology

It is a noun use of the phrasal verb back up.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

MWU dates the noun to 1910.[3] In North America it first meant the backward motion of a vehicle, in the early 20th century.[4]

Semantic evolution

An accumulation of water or traffic behind an obstruction is a mid-20th-century North American sense.[4] A standby or reserve is from 1952 in Etymonline,[2] and support or backing generally followed.[4] In computing, a duplicate copy of data kept in case the original is lost is from 1965.[2][4] Musical accompaniment behind a lead performer is a further use.[5]

Timeline

  • 1910 – first use (MWU).[3]
  • early 20th century – backward motion of a vehicle.[4]
  • 1952 – a standby, a reserve.[2]
  • 1965 – in computing.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person or thing kept in reserve; a substitute.
  2. A copy of computer data or files stored separately in case the original is lost.
  3. Support or help: police called for backup.
  4. (chiefly North American) An overflow or traffic jam caused by a blockage.
  5. A background accompaniment for a singer or performer.

Adjective

  1. Kept in reserve; standby: a backup generator.
  • back
  • up
  • setback

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin