'backlotter' originates from English, specifically formed from 'backlot' + the agentive suffix '-er', where 'backlot' meant 'the lot (area) at the back (of studio premises)' and '-er' denotes 'a person associated with'.

'backlotter' was formed in the early 20th century within the film industry from the noun 'backlot' (itself from the compound 'back' + 'lot', originally 'back lot' meaning a lot at the rear of a property) with the addition of the agent suffix '-er' to indicate a person associated with that place.

Initially, the components simply referred to 'a lot at the back' and 'a person' (via '-er'); over time the compound came to mean specifically someone who works on or frequents the studio backlot, a film-industry-specific role.