Dictionary

yellowback en · NOUN

Etymology

From yellow + back.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, rare) A species of sea catfish, Sciades parkeri, having yellow coloration on the upper part of its body.
2. A cheap novel with a yellow cover; any cheaply reproduced novel, typically with sensational content.
   • She felt she would like a corner in the English room for the afternoon, a book and an occasional remark—Mr Barnes of New York—she would not be able to read her three yellow-backs in the German bedroom. 1915, Dorothy Richardson, Pointed Roofs, Broadview, published 2014, page 173:
3. (US, historical) A monetary note redeemable in gold; a gold certificate.

Forms

Relateds

yellowback fusilier