bass-ackwardadv.adj.
/basˈakwəd/, U.S. /ˌbæsˈækwərd/ North American slang (humorous and euphemistic).
A. adv.
Backwards, back to front, the wrong way round; in a manner contrary to what is usual, expected, or logical; = ass-backwards adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb]
abackOE
ruglingc1225
abackwardc1275
backwarda1300
hindwarda1300
arsewardly1530
arseward1553
rearward1604
retrogradea1620
aversively?1624
arsewards1648
retrogradely1658
regressively1755
backlings1786
tailwise1825
rearwards1835
bass-ackwardsa1865
arseling1887
bass-ackward1902
ass-backwards1934
backasswards1951
backassward1961
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adverb] > contrary to the usual manner
in reverse1639
bass-ackwardsa1865
bass-ackward1902
ass-backwards1934
backasswards1951
backassward1961
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > lack of reasoning, illogicality > [adverb]
unlogically1610
inconsequently1635
illogically1660
bass-ackwardsa1865
alogically1900
bass-ackward1902
backasswards1951
backassward1961
1902 Amer. Med. Jrnl. 30 6 The trouble with those who manufacture our specific indications for us is, that they begin bassackward.
1949 N. R. Nash Young & Fair 28 Nope—wrong. You've got it bass-ackward.
1972 Titusville (Pa.) Herald 14 Oct. 4/1 The Department of Transportation has a habit of doing things bass-ackward.
2010 C. Seife Proofiness ii. 51 The researchers..forgot to consider that they had cause and effect bass-ackward—and instantly rushed to the wrong conclusion.
B. adj.
Contrary to what is usual, expected, or logical; back-to-front, muddled, perverse; = ass-backwards adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > lack of reasoning, illogicality > [adjective]
illogical1588
alogical1603
unlogical1609
undiscursive1633
butt-ended1850
non-logical1899
back to front1916
bass-ackward1930
bass-ackwards1932
ass-backwards1935
scatty1956
backasswards1967
backassward1968
1930 Market Growers Jrnl. 15 Feb. 135/3 Kid the boys by turning a real bassackward summersault for them on the plowed ground.
1974 J. Millard Thunderbolt & Lightfoot iii. 16 Hell, Reverend, I didn't see your bass-ackward collar before.
2006 D. Perry Winners ii. 44 It's the bassackward nature of the knuckler that a catcher's inability to receive it properly can be a sign of mastery by the hurler.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.adj.1902