backbiting etymology

Etymology:

• From Middle English bakbyten, from Old English bæccbitung, from Proto-Germanic bakubitianaz, from Proto-Indo-European root *bʰeg- ("to speak").

Meaning:

• To talk critically or unfavorably about someone who is not present.
• To slander or gossip about someone.

Origin:

• The term "backbiting" is derived from the Old English word "bæc" (back) and "bitung" (bite). It originally referred to the act of biting someone in the back, which was a metaphorical way of describing slander or gossip.
• Over time, the term evolved to refer more generally to any form of malicious or critical speech, even if it did not involve physical violence.
• The use of "backbiting" to describe the act of slandering or gossiping appeared as early as the 14th century.

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