Back talk
an impudent response; impudence.
to answer back.
contemporary examples
push back more—with votes, with money, and with plenty of back talk!
how women (and men) can have it all—now elizabeth gregory june 26, 2012
historical examples
the first thing, sir, is that im going to be obeyed, without question and without any back talk.
cursed george allan england
you go an’ do what i tell you to, and don’t gimme none o’ your back talk.
back home eugene wood
i’m only foreman of this steel gang, my friend; and i don’t take any back talk from anybody.
held for orders frank h. spearman
then, back talk, in the voices of six-shooters, came from a corner of the room.
the lone ranger rides fran striker
under its influence i became very irritable and unruly, and would take no back talk from the keepers.
the autobiography of a thief hutchins hapgood
“i’ll have no back talk from you, you sulky dough-face,” roared lathrop.
-n-lyzing character katherine m. h. blackford and arthur newcomb
“for giving me back talk,” said the youth who never quarreled with any one.
the million-dollar suitcase alice macgowan
officers are quick to exact instant obedience, and the least show of rebellion or “back talk” is answered with a blow.
the pirate shark elliott whitney
“where dad was once goin’ to chuck you down for givin’ him back talk,” said the younger brother casually.
a protegee of jack hamlin’s and other stories bret harte
noun phrase
impudent response; impertinent comment; s-ss (mid-1800s+)
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