Etymologically
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backwards

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈbækwɜːdz/ (UK); /ˈbækwɜɹdz/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is backward with the adverbial genitive ending -s.[2][3] Backward itself is Middle English bakward (before 1325), from abakward, modelled on hindeward and foreward with the Old English suffix -weard, toward.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Toward the back, in the various senses of backward: 1513 in the OED, the 1510s in Etymonline.[3][2]

Semantic evolution

As an adjective, equal to backward, it was used rarely from 1627 and is obsolete.[3] The figurative phrase bend over backwards, to make every effort, is recorded from 1901.[2] In dialects from Yorkshire to Herefordshire, backwards was used for back premises or the back part of a house.[5]

Timeline

  • before 1325 – backward.[4]
  • 1513 – backwards.[3]
  • 1901 – bend over backwards.[2]

Modern meaning

Adverb

  1. Toward the back or rear.
  2. With the back first, or in reverse order or direction.
  3. Toward a worse or earlier state.

Usage notes

Backward and backwards are both used as adverbs; as an adjective only backward is used.[3]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  5. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)