mossyback meaning (informal): definition, etymology

mossyback

noun

UK /ˈmɒsibæk/ · US /ˈmɔsiˌbæk/

Etymology From mossy + back (in sense 2 (“person who stayed hidden to evade conscription during the American Civil War”) probably a variant of mossback, which is attested earlier), alluding to someone or something that is so old or has remained so unmoving that it is as if moss has grown on them or it. Sense 3.2 (“menhaden”) may be influenced by mossbunker.

US, Informal A person with old-fashioned views; hence, one who is very conservative or reactionary; a mossback.

US, Historical, Informal, Obsolete Synonym of mossback (“a person who stayed hidden to evade conscription (especially by the Confederate States Army) during the American Civil War (1861–1865)”).

› Senses relating to animals.

Fishing, Hobbies, Lifestyle US, Obsolete A fish that is large and old, especially one that has algae growing on its back; a mossback.

US, Obsolete The menhaden, mossbanker, or mossbunker, a marine fish of the genus Brevoortia or Ethmidium.

Derived terms: mossybacked, mossy-backed