The idiom "back forty" is an American slang term that refers to a remote or faraway area of land, typically used for farming or agriculture. It is often used to describe a large, undeveloped piece of land that is located far away from the main property or residence.
The term "back forty" originated from the practice of dividing farmland into sections, with the "back forty" being the last 40 acres of the property. This area was often the most difficult to access and maintain, and was therefore left undeveloped.
Today, the term "back forty" is used more broadly to refer to any remote or isolated area, regardless of its size or intended use. For example, you might hear someone say, "I'm heading out to the back forty to do some hunting," or "We're going to have a picnic in the back forty this weekend."
Overall, the idiom "back forty" is a colorful and informal way of describing a faraway or isolated area of land, and is often used in rural or agricultural contexts.
• Our family has owned this land for generations, and the back forty has always been a special place for us to gather and celebrate.
• We took a walk through the back forty and saw some beautiful wildflowers and birds.
• The conservation group worked tirelessly to preserve the back forty, which is home to rare species of plants and animals.
• I don't have a big garden in my house, but I have a back forty where I grow vegetables.
• After a long day of work, I like to relax on the porch and watch the sunset over the back forty.
• My grandparents used to own a farm with a back forty where they kept their cows and horses.