YELLOWBACK Meaning and
Definition
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A yellowback refers to a type of cheaply produced, mass-market paperback book, typically featuring a yellow cover. The term originated in the 19th century and was commonly used to describe certain types of sensational, low-quality literature that became popular during that time.
Yellowbacks were often printed on low-quality paper and bound in flimsy covers, which contributed to their affordability and appeal to the masses. The content of these books generally consisted of thrilling adventure stories, romance novels, and sensationalized tales, targeting a wide readership seeking entertainment rather than literary value.
While yellowbacks were known for their cheapness and lack of literary merit, they played an important role in the history of publishing. These books were often the first to be sold in railway station bookstalls and other easily accessible locations, making literature more widely available and affordable to the general public. Yellowbacks also paved the way for the emergence of modern, mass-produced paperbacks, which continue to be popular to this day.
In modern usage, the term "yellowback" is still occasionally used to refer to mass-market, low-quality books without specific reference to the color of their covers. It serves as a reminder of the early history of paperback publishing and the democratization of literature.
Common Misspellings for YELLOWBACK
- tellowback
- gellowback
- hellowback
- uellowback
- 7ellowback
- 6ellowback
- ywllowback
- ysllowback
- ydllowback
- yrllowback
- y4llowback
- y3llowback
- yeklowback
- yeplowback
- yeolowback
- yelkowback
- yelpowback
- yeloowback
- yelliwback
- yellkwback
Etymology of YELLOWBACK
The word "yellowback" is derived from the combination of "yellow" and "back". In the mid-19th century, it was used to refer to a specific type of inexpensive paperback book that had distinctive yellow covers. These books were mass-produced and often contained sensational or thrilling content, such as adventure stories, romances, or crime novels. The term "yellowback" was coined due to the bright yellow color of the covers, which made these books easily recognizable. Over time, "yellowback" became synonymous with cheap and sensational literature, and the term has been used to describe similar types of paperbacks since then.
