How Do You Spell BACKPEDALING?

Pronunciation: [bˈakpɪdə͡lɪŋ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "backpedaling" can be easily explained with the use of IPA phonetic transcription. The first part of the word, "back", is pronounced as "bæk", where the "a" sound is a short vowel sound. The second part, "pedaling", is pronounced as "pəˈdeɪlɪŋ", where the stress is on the second syllable and the "a" sound is a long vowel sound. The spelling of the word successfully captures the pronunciation of its two parts, making it easy to understand and remember.

BACKPEDALING Meaning and Definition

1. Backpedaling refers to the act of reversing or retreating from a previous stance, position, or statement. It is commonly used to describe the behavior of individuals who are attempting to retract or revise their initial views, actions, or commitments. The term originates from the physical action of a cyclist pedaling backward to slow down or move in the opposite direction.

   In a figurative sense, backpedaling often occurs when someone encounters criticism, opposition, or evidence that challenges their original position. It involves an attempt to mitigate, downplay, or otherwise distance oneself from their earlier statements or actions. Backpedaling can manifest in various ways, ranging from minor adjustments to complete and abrupt reversals.

   Individuals engaging in backpedaling may offer justifications, explanations, or apologies for their previous stance, often claiming that they were misunderstood or taken out of context. The intention behind backpedaling is typically aimed at minimizing potential negative impacts or consequences from their initial position.

   Backpedaling is commonly observed in the realms of politics, public relations, and personal relationships. It can sometimes be perceived as a lack of integrity or an attempt to evade accountability, depending on the circumstances and motives.

   Overall, backpedaling refers to the act of distancing oneself from a prior belief, statement, or decision due to criticism or unfavorable circumstances, often with the goal of protecting one's reputation or minimizing the fallout.

Top Common Misspellings for BACKPEDALING *

• backpeddling 33.3333333%
• backpeddeling 33.3333333%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BACKPEDALING

• backpedling
• backpedelings
• bakpedling

Etymology of BACKPEDALING

The word "backpedaling" is derived from two separate words: "back" and "pedal".

1. "Back" has Old English roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "bakam", meaning "back" or "behind".

2. "Pedal" comes from the Latin word "pedālis", meaning "a foot or foot-breadth". This Latin term is derived from "pes", meaning "foot".

When these two words are combined, "backpedaling" describes the action of pedaling, or moving backward, as if operating bicycle pedals in reverse. It figuratively refers to the act of retracting or reversing one's position, typically during an argument or decision-making process.

Similar spelling words for BACKPEDALING

• backpedal,
• basipetal.

Conjugate verb Backpedaling

CONDITIONAL

I would backpedal

we would backpedal

you would backpedal

he/she/it would backpedal

they would backpedal

FUTURE

I will backpedal

we will backpedal

you will backpedal

he/she/it will backpedal

they will backpedal

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled

we will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled

you will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled

he/she/it will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled

they will have backpedalled, will have backpedaled

PAST

I backpedalled, backpedaled

we backpedalled, backpedaled

you backpedalled, backpedaled

he/she/it backpedalled, backpedaled

they backpedalled, backpedaled

PAST PERFECT

I had backpedalled, had backpedaled

we had backpedalled, had backpedaled

you had backpedalled, had backpedaled

he/she/it had backpedalled, had backpedaled

they had backpedalled, had backpedaled

PRESENT

I backpedal

we backpedal

you backpedal

he/she/it backpedals

they backpedal

PRESENT PERFECT

I have backpedaled, have backpedalled

we have backpedaled, have backpedalled

you have backpedaled, have backpedalled

he/she/it has backpedaled, has backpedalled

they have backpedaled, have backpedalled

I am backpedaling, am backpedalling

we are backpedalling, are backpedaling

you are backpedalling, are backpedaling

he/she/it is backpedaling, is backpedalling

they are backpedalling, are backpedaling

I was backpedalling, was backpedaling

we were backpedaling, were backpedalling

you were backpedaling, were backpedalling

he/she/it was backpedalling, was backpedaling

they were backpedaling, were backpedalling

I will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling

we will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling

you will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling

he/she/it will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling

they will be backpedaling, will be backpedalling

I have been backpedaling, have been backpedalling

we have been backpedaling, have been backpedalling

you have been backpedalling, have been backpedaling

he/she/it has been backpedaling, has been backpedalling

they have been backpedalling, have been backpedaling

I had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling

we had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling

you had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling

he/she/it had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling

they had been backpedalling, had been backpedaling

I will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling

we will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling

you will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling

he/she/it will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling

they will have been backpedaling, will have been backpedalling

I would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled

we would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled

you would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled

he/she/it would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled

they would have backpedalled, would have backpedaled

I would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling

we would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling

you would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling

he/she/it would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling

they would be backpedalling, would be backpedaling

I would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling

we would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling

you would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling

he/she/it would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling

they would have been backpedalling, would have been backpedaling