'backchat' originates from English, formed by combining 'back' (meaning 'back' or 'again') and 'chat' (meaning 'talk' or 'chatter').

'backchat' developed from the combination of the words 'back' + 'chat' in colloquial English, producing the sense 'talking back'; it became established as a noun and verb meaning an impertinent reply in later English usage.

Initially it simply described 'talking in reply' (a back-and-forth), but over time the meaning narrowed to the sense of an impertinent or cheeky reply.