Backstory
a narrative providing a history or background context, especially for a character or situation in a literary work, film, or dramatic series.
prequel.
Contemporary Examples
The backstory of the SNAP bill is as much about internal Republican Party dynamics as it is about Republicans versus Democrats.
With House Win, GOP Pushes Food-Stamp Cuts to the Far Right Eleanor Clift September 19, 2013
Crazy Heart is more country than Western, and has a backstory of near-disaster.
Jeff Bridges’ Crazy Oscar Bid Caryn James December 11, 2009
The P.L. Travers backstory is told at length in what feels almost like a separate, rather less enjoyable, film.
‘Saving Mr. Banks’ Reveals the Battle Over Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ Nico Hines October 20, 2013
The backstory of the bromance between Peres and Netanyahu is a complicated one.
Shimon Peres’s Influence Wanes as Israel Grows More Bellicose Toward Iran Dan Ephron March 1, 2012
Given a bit of the backstory, though, most people not only remembered what happened in Italy but had an opinion about it.
What Amanda Knox Is Up to Now Winston Ross, Barbie Latza Nadeau March 24, 2013
That backstory is… The success of these operations depends to a degree on lack of information for each individual involved.
Damian Lewis Spills On ‘Homeland’s’ Shocking Plot Twist and Brody’s Return Andrew Romano October 13, 2013
Start with stuff already happening and fill in the backstory later.
Jonathan Tropper: How I Write Noah Charney July 2, 2013
One sentence of his backstory and the job was done: he had you at “my plane got shot down.”
The Heat Quotient Tina Brown October 27, 2008
But I think his backstory is just part of the richness of the character.
Meet the Red Viper: Pedro Pascal on Game of Thrones’ Kinky, Bisexual Hellraiser Marlow Stern March 25, 2014
We spent a lot of time creating a backstory for our “Man” played by David Logan Rankin.
Nitehawk Shorts Festival: ‘Brute,’ a Twisted Take on Playing in the Dark Julia Grinberg November 27, 2014
n.
c.1990, from background story.
Read Also:
- Back story
a narrative providing a history or background context, especially for a character or situation in a literary work, film, or dramatic series. prequel. Contemporary Examples And he and I worked out how we were going to do the back story because the hair has to do something. The ‘American Hustle’ Style Guide Erin Cunningham February […]
- Back straight
noun a straight part of a circuit, esp of an athletics track or a racecourse, furthest from the finishing point Contemporary Examples Soon he was on the medal stand, where he hopes to be again this summer, his back straight, his eyes clear. Hugh McCutcheon: U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team’s Silent Savior Tony Doukopil July 27, […]
- Backstrap loom
a simple horizontal loom, used especially in Central and South America, on which one of two beams holding the warp yarn is attached to a strap that passes across the weaver’s back. Historical Examples Narrow widths can be woven most rapidly on the backstrap loom. Chincha Plain-weave cloths Lila M. O’Neale
- Back street
a street apart from the main or business area of a town. taking place in secrecy and often illegally: back-street political maneuvering; back-street drug dealing. Historical Examples While she stood at the window, mechanically looking out, the dreary view of the back street trembled and disappeared. Heart and Science Wilkie Collins Then they crossed a […]
- Back stretch
the straight part of a race track opposite the part leading to the finish line. Historical Examples Up the back stretch they went, Zal with gigantic strides, still in front and Ovelando was going easily close up. History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 John Lawrence O’Connor Take them out at three-quarter gallop down the back […]