Backtalk: meaning, definitions and examples
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backtalk
[ ˈbækˌtɔk ]
disrespectful response
Backtalk refers to a rude or disrespectful reply to someone, usually an authority figure. It often indicates defiance or disobedience, particularly from a child or teenager towards a parent or teacher.
Synonyms
lip, rebuke, retort, smart answer
Examples of usage
- The teacher was taken aback by the student's backtalk.
- She refused to tolerate any backtalk from her children.
- His backtalk got him in trouble with his boss.
Translations
Translations of the word "backtalk" in other languages:
🇵🇹 resposta desaforada
🇮🇳 बात चीत
🇩🇪 Widerspruch
🇮🇩 jawaban yang kasar
🇺🇦 недоречна відповідь
🇵🇱 odpowiedź
🇯🇵 反論
🇫🇷 réplique insolente
🇪🇸 respuesta desafiante
🇹🇷 karşı cevap
🇰🇷 반항적인 대답
🇸🇦 رد غير مؤدب
🇨🇿 neslušná odpověď
🇸🇰 nezdvorilá odpoveď
🇨🇳 顶嘴
🇸🇮 nepristojni odgovor
🇮🇸 ókur
🇰🇿 жанжал
🇬🇪 უკვე პასუხი
🇦🇿 cavab
🇲🇽 respuesta desafiante
Etymology
The word 'backtalk' is a compound of 'back' and 'talk,' first appearing in American English in the early 20th century. Its origins connect to the idea of talking back, a phrase that gained popularity in the 1900s, particularly in relation to children and their interactions with parents or authority figures. The term captures the essence of defiance and disrespect, aligning with the cultural shifts towards more open communication in familial settings. Over the decades, 'backtalk' has come to symbolize not just mere disagreement but a form of verbal challenge that can escalate into broader disputes. It has since become a common term in discussions around discipline and parental guidance, highlighting generational differences in communication styles.