An unprogressive person; a fogy.
1850. Here you sit, like a knot on a tree, with the moss commencing to grow on your back.—H. C. Lewis (‘Madison Tensas’), ‘Odd Leaves,’ p. 181 (Phila.).
1885. A few intense mossbacks, who were known during the war as copperheads.—Boston Journal, March 5. (N.E.D.)
1902. I’ve set up many a night tellin’ them moss-backs tales to make ’em laugh.—W. N. Harben, ‘Abner Daniel,’ p. 217.
1904. I know more ’an some o’ these gillies that swallow every dose that’s give to ’em from any jack-leg preacher that comes along. I don’t want no mossback to do my thinkin’ fer me.—W. N. Harben, ‘The Georgians,’ p. 69.
