backal

English

Etymology

From back +‎ -al, in humorous reference to frontal. Used since at least the 1970s.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ækəl

Adjective

backal (not comparable)

1. (humorous, especially of nudity) Of or involving a person's back (rather than the front or side).

   full backal nudity

   • 1977, New Times:

     In television, the final refuge of Victorianism, eroticism is the great no-no. "I have coined the expression: 'At NBC, we don't show frontal, backal or sidal nudity,'" Traviesas says. "Although I squirm a little — we are showing more backal nudity."

   • 1989 August 24, Blair P. Houghton, LeMovie, rec.bicycles, Usenet, quoting an earlier post by Daniel Mocsny:

     I'll have to draw the line at frontal nudity, but I would consider backal or sidal nudity, provided I get a good percentage of [...]

   • 1991 June 10, Synth F. Oberheim, “Nudity in The Terminator”, in alt.cult-movies (Usenet):

     There is a Full Backal shot as Arnold looks out over the L.A. skyline, and a distant shot, Full Frontal, as he is approaching the punks, [...]

   • 1992 September 2, William G. Martin, “First "Full-backal" nudity on TV? (was Re: GOING TO EXTREMES)”, in rec.arts.tv (Usenet):

     Was the full-backal-nudity shot of the lady doctor radiology instructor a first for a network prime-time series, or have I just been leading too sheltered a life, and such shots are common nowadays?

   • 2007 September 28, Bob Mondello, "Coming Soon, to a Theater Near You: Naked People", All Things Considered, National Public Radio

     Movie nudity has a long history in Hollywood.... And a lot of different kinds. Male and female, partial and full, frontal and ... backal?

Coordinate terms

• frontal, sidal