mossback

American  

[maws-bak, mos-] / ˈmɔsˌbæk, ˈmɒs- /

noun

1. Informal.

   1. a person holding very antiquated notions; reactionary.

   2. a person living in the backwoods; rustic.

2. an old turtle.

3. Angling. a large and old fish, as a bass.

4. a wild bull or cow.

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mossback British  

/ ˈmɒsˌbæk /

noun

1. an old turtle, shellfish, etc, that has a growth of algae on its back

2. informal a provincial or conservative person

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Other Word Forms

• mossbacked adjective

Etymology

Origin of mossback

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; moss + back ¹

Example Sentences

In true mossback fashion, he bought a plot of land on a particularly damp section of the island because he loved the rain.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2023

South Carolina's grumpy, mastiff-faced old Ellison DuRant Smith may be the Senate's No. 1 mossback, but South Carolina loves him still, treasures him as a precious relic.

From Time Magazine Archive

To the passengers, most railroaders are mossback operators who neglect service while engaging in a never-ending round of raising fares, chopping schedules and eliminating branch lines.

From Time Magazine Archive

Says Kitchin: "I'm a conservative, but not a mossback."

From Time Magazine Archive

The mossback pays in pennies and gives a mortgage.

From The Rules of the Game by White, Stewart Edward