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back·stairs

[bak-stairz]
adjective
1.
associated or originating with household servants.
2.
secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip.
Also, back·stair.


Origin:
1635–45; adj. use of back stairs

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
backstairs (ˈbækˈstɛəz) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
pl n
1.  a secondary staircase in a house, esp one originally for the use of servants
 
adj
2.  underhand: backstairs gossip

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
More backstair is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
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