backlist
|back-list|
/ˈbæk.lɪst/
catalogue of older items
Etymology
'backlist' originates from English as a compound of 'back' + 'list', where 'back' meant 'rear' or 'behind' and 'list' meant 'catalog' or 'list'.
'backlist' developed in the publishing industry in the 20th century as a shortened form related to 'back catalogue' or 'back catalog', which referred to a publisher's older titles; the compound stabilized in modern publishing terminology.
Initially a literal compound meaning a 'rear list' or 'list at the back', it evolved into a fixed publishing term meaning 'the catalogue of older or previously published titles' (and, by extension, the status of those titles).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the catalogue of a publisher's older books or titles that are not part of the current frontlist (i.e., back-catalogue of previously published works).
The publisher's backlist includes many long-selling classics.
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Antonyms
Verb 1
to place (a title) on a publisher's backlist or to reclassify a title as part of the backlist (i.e., to keep it available but not actively promoted as a new release).
After weak initial sales, the publisher decided to backlist the book rather than pulping it.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 16:44