resbak

Tagalog

Etymology

From a backslang formed from the initial and flipped final syllables of English backers or from English wrest back. From the early 1980s.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ˈɾesbak/ [ˈɾɛs.bɐk̚]
• Rhymes: -esbak
• Syllabification: res‧bak

Noun

resbak (Baybayin spelling ᜇᜒᜐ᜔ᜊᜃ᜔) (slang, back slang)

1. revenge; retaliation

   Synonym: higanti

2. reinforcements (especially for revenge)
   • 1987, Literary Folio, University of the Philippines:

     Alam nilang sisipot si Roy. Pinilipit nila ang kuwelyo nito habang kinakausap. Baka gusto mong magsama ng resbak, kung meron ka, sabi nila.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1990, Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, Antolohiya ng mga nagwaging akda, dekada 80: isang-yugtong dula : Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, 1980-1989:

     Pinatulan nina Diego. Diyan sa may malapit sa kanto. Pipilahan yata! Ano? Mga tinig mula sa labas ang maririnig. Saluhin natin, Salo! “Tanginan'yo! Mega na pa kayong manggulpe! Resbak! Resbak! “Yung pana! Magkaluwaan nang bituka!

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Derived terms

• resbakan
• rumesbak

 

Further reading

• “resbak”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018