mossyback

Questions

How do you pronounce mossyback?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈmɔsiˌbæk/.

What does mossyback mean?

A person with old-fashioned views; hence, one who is very conservative or reactionary; a mossback.

Where does mossyback come from?

From mossy + back (in sense 2 (“person who stayed hidden to evade conscription during the American Civil War”) probably a variant of mossback, which is attested earlier), alluding to someone or something that is so old or has remained so unmoving that it is as if moss has grown on them or it. Sense 3.2 (“menhaden”) may be influenced by mossbunker.

How to pronounce mossyback

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “mossyback”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈmɔsiˌbæk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “mossyback”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “mossyback” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.