back-end-to

back-end-to adv phr Also back-end-(be)fore, ~-front [EDD back-end-fore 1886→] Cf ass-end-to adv phr, hindside-to adv, to prep C2

= backside-to adv phr.

1881 New Haven Reg. (CT) 18 Mar [2]/2, We presume some idiot would state the proposition back end to and we should be in the same orthographical pickle we are now. 1903 Garland Hesper 308 West, I cannot afford to sacrifice my business for a mere phrase. You’re going at this back-end to. 1909 Eve. Times (Cumberland MD) 20 May 2/1 NYC, When I looked at your headpiece and saw you had my hat on back end front I knew you. 1909 Liahona 7.338 UT, “Proceed, back end fore; right to left, from top to bottom. . .” This means that a Japanese book is read from what we call the end of the book proceeding to the left. 1926 DN 5.385 ME, Back-end-too [sic]. . . Reversed. “He turned back-end-too.” Common. 1959 VT Hist. new ser 27.124, Back end to: with the rear of something facing one. Common. 1964 Waterloo Daily Courier (IA) 21 Oct 12/5, But this is putting her story together back-end to. 1965–70 DARE (Qu. MM2, . . “You’ve got your dress on _____.”) Infs AL3, CT25, NY155, WI13, WY5, Back-end-to; NJ16, Back-end-before; AL51, IL84, 85, NY9, PA72, TN36, TX54, WV21, Back-end-front; (Qu. MM3, . . “This is the front; you’ve got the whole thing turned _____.”) Infs CT19, MA61, 73, NY136, 155, PA190, Back-end-to.