yellowback

American  

[yel-oh-bak] / ˈyɛl oʊˌbæk /

noun

1. (formerly) an inexpensive, often lurid, novel bound in yellow cloth or paper.

2. a gold certificate.

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Etymology

Origin of yellowback

First recorded in 1790–1800; yellow + back ¹

Example Sentences

Why, he'd give this one or that one a yellowback to buy a new hat, say,—and then the others would tease for new hats.

From In the Onyx Lobby by Wells, Carolyn

In literature we have to differentiate what is purely a commercial product like the yellowback novel, what is educational like the classic, and what is of the new.

From A Tramp's Sketches by Graham, Stephen

You saw what that fellow flashed, a twenty dollar yellowback, a word to Skippy and the Kennedy would follow.

From Skippy Bedelle His Sentimental Progress From the Urchin to the Complete Man of the World by Fuhr, Ernest

He tossed a yellowback bill lightly into her lap, and she made a great show of rejecting it, even pushing it toward him across the table and to the floor.

From Every Soul Hath Its Song by Hurst, Fannie

As he idly opened the book there was disclosed a little collection of genuine government yellowback bills, not one of which was less than ten dollars in its denomination.

From The House Boat Boys by Rathborne, George, St.