backlog
English edit
Etymology edit
back + log. 1680s; originally a large log at the back of a fire. Figurative sense from 1880s, meaning "something stored up for later use". Possibly influenced by logbook as well.[1]
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
backlog (plural backlogs)
- A large log to burn at the back of a fire.
- 1830, Joseph Plumb Martin, “Ch. V”, in A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier:
- While she was preparing my breakfast, I chopped off a backlog and put it on the fire, […]
- 1902, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Bush Studies (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 31:
- He threw it on the fire for a back-log, first scraping the live coals and ashes to a heap for his damper.
- A reserve source or supply.
- An accumulation or buildup, especially of unfilled orders, unconsumed products or unfinished work.
- He went to work on Saturday to try to work through the backlog of papers on his desk.
- Kyle purchased a new one despite having a backlog of video games that he hasn't played.
- 2020 November 18, Mike Brown tells Paul Stephen, “I wasn't going to let the Mayor down”, in Rail, page 45:
- With much of the building unrenovated since it was built in the 19th century, there is a significant backlog of repairs estimated to be in excess of £1bn.
- A log containing text previously read, as in text-based video games or chat rooms.
Translations edit
an accumulation or buildup
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a reserve source or supply
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Verb edit
backlog (third-person singular simple present backlogs, present participle backlogging, simple past and past participle backlogged)
- (transitive, intransitive) To acquire something as a backlog, or to become a backlog
Translations edit
to acquire something as a backlog, or to become a backlog
References edit
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “backlog”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Anagrams edit
Spanish edit
Noun edit
backlog m (plural backlogs)