back forty

Or back 40

noun

1. remote, usually uncultivated acreage on a large piece of land, as on a farm or ranch.

Word History and Origins

Origin of back forty¹

Apparently because forty acres was a typical size for such a piece of land

Example Sentences

If you’re among those who might pass the corner of Prince and Crosby Streets in SoHo with a pang of nostalgia for the loss of the restaurant Savoy, closed in 2011, you can relive some of its moments with Peter Hoffman, the chef and a former owner, at a program at the Basque restaurant Huertas, near Mr. Hoffman’s restaurant Back Forty, which closed in 2014.

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Back Forty and Back Forty West, his other places, had briefer runs.

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“Having reviewed the decision, we believe that Aquila will be able to resolve the cited issues and remain confident that Back Forty will be a safe, disciplined operation that promotes and supports local community socioeconomic development and is protective of the environment.”

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Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter invalidated a wetlands permit granted in 2018 to Aquila Resources Inc. The Toronto-based company’s Back Forty mine primarily would target gold and zinc in an underground sulfide deposit, as well as smaller volumes of copper, silver and lead.

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So, you’re not saying he was a special agent going back forty years?

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