Backwater
water held or forced back, as by a dam, flood, or tide.
a place or state of stagnant backwardness:
This area of the country is a backwater that continues to resist progress.
an isolated, peaceful place.
a stroke executed by pushing a paddle forward, causing a canoe to move backward.
Contemporary Examples
State of Wonder borrows some plot points; Marina is delayed in a backwater before heading down the river, like Marlow.
Ann Patchett’s ‘State of Wonder’ and Other Twists on Classic Novels Caryn James December 6, 2011
In contrast, says Aftergood, “security has traditionally been a backwater that hires former military personnel and muscle men.”
Intelligence Community Aims to Get Tough on Leaks Eli Lake June 20, 2012
Western Europe—sticking out into the cold North Atlantic, far from the centers of action—had always been a backwater.
Why the West Rules—For Now Ian Morris December 24, 2010
Egypt, once a leader in the Arab world and the Islamic world, has fallen to a being a backwater.
Crossroad for Arab Dictators Bruce Riedel January 14, 2011
To be sure, patriot-Americans are not know-nothing nativists or backwater rubes, nor are post-Americans traitors.
A ‘Black President’ Is of No Value to America Rich Benjamin November 3, 2008
Historical Examples
Yet, with all its miasma, this backwater district has sent many a good man back to the main Road, which we all try to travel.
My Life Josiah Flynt
The sun had set, and the backwater, in deep shadow, was filling with a gentle haze.
Howards End E. M. Forster
He came to the island, and let his boat slide into the backwater.
The Dark Flower John Galsworthy
Then he had seemed to himself in the backwater, out of the throng of existence.
The Arbiter Lady F. E. E. Bell
Wargrave backwater is one of the most noted on the river, and in summer, or early spring, is a fairyland of greenery.
The Thames G. E. Mitton
noun
a body of stagnant water connected to a river
water held or driven back, as by a dam, flood, or tide
an isolated, backward, or intellectually stagnant place or condition
verb
(intransitive) to reverse the direction of a boat, esp to push the oars of a rowing boat
n.
late 14c., “water behind a dam,” from back (adj.) + water (n.). Hence flat water without a current near a flowing river, as in a mill race (1820); figurative use of this for any flat, dull place is from 1899.
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