subs. phr. (common).—1. a rude answer; (2) contradiction; (3) an insinuation; and (4) withdrawal from a promise of an accepted invitation (Lanc.): also BACK-WORD and BACK-ANSWER. Hence BACKWARD-ANSWER = a perverse reply; ‘No BACK TALK!’ = ‘Shut up!’
c. 1605. SIR J. MELVILLE, Memoires (1683), 5. Who was so glad as he, to return with this BACKWARD ANSWER.
1884. Hull Herald, 28 Feb., 6. 6. The boy was a civil boy, and never gave a BACK ANSWER.
