backword

1) The phrase ‘to give backword’ is a dialect usage and it means to go back on a promise.

1734 Gave Mr Beever back word about Rape dust, Mirfield

1809 To give Nathaniel Berry backword that he was not to go to York, Honley. It is still in everyday use.

places Honley Mirfield
dates 1734 1809

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Photo by Kreuzschnabel CC BY-SA 3.0