'backhoe' originates from English, combining 'back' and 'hoe', where 'back' refers to the rear position of the digging arm and 'hoe' refers to the tool used for digging.

'backhoe' was coined in the 20th century as a term for a specific type of excavating equipment.

Initially, it referred to a simple digging tool, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a complex piece of machinery used in construction.