backstairs

or back·stair

[bak-stairz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR backstairs ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

associated or originating with household servants.

secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip.

Origin of backstairs

First recorded in 1635–45; adj. use of back stairs

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for backstairs

confidential, covert, classified, secretive, surreptitious, furtive, hush-hush, restricted, reticent, enigmatic, taciturn, close, inside, sneak, backdoor, cryptic, discreet, disguised, incognito, sly

Examples from the Web for backstairs

Contemporary Examples of backstairs

Which means that every seat contains someone who is reclining straight into the lap of their backstairs neighbor.
Should People Stop Reclining Their Seats?
Megan McArdle
February 20, 2013

Historical Examples of backstairs

"That's truth enough," said an asthmatic voice from the backstairs.
The Manxman
Hall Caine
The road to eminence lay by the "backstairs," the atmosphere of which he could not endure.
The Ship of Fools, Volume 1
Sebastian Brandt
But I hope one of the results of this war will be the end of backstairs diplomacy.
Face to Face with Kaiserism
James W. Gerard
The backstairs one would not choose; but what other way was there?
The Lady of Lynn
Walter Besant
We will go to my room by the backstairs, then we sha'n't disturb anybody.
Unlucky
Caroline Austin

British Dictionary definitions for backstairs

backstairs

pl n

a secondary staircase in a house, esp one originally for the use of servants

adjective Also: backstair

underhandbackstairs gossip

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for backstairs

"stairs at the back of a structure," 1650s, from back (adj.) + stairs (see stair). Figurative use is attested earlier (1640s).