backgrounder
4
7.4
- noun
- /ˈbækˌɡraʊndər/
- Literature
:
informe
- I hope you'll do a backgrounder on air and here for those of us who have not followed every detail of the Ohio court fights, etc.
Examples
-
Certain IPCC officials had prepared what they called a backgrounder press release well in advance of the meeting, embargoed until 15 September, about the meeting's conclusions.
Academic text (1995) -
We do a series of backgrounders on the news before it becomes news.
-
Too bad the media can't do its job and give people a very basic backgrounder on Ryan.
Blog text (2) -
Gergen gave backgrounders on a regular basis to reporters and established a good working relationship with them.
Academic text (2000) -
The backgrounders I've read so far by Wikipedia and others explain pretty well why SOPA/PIPA shouldn't pass.
Blog text (23) -
Before the discussion, the host provided a backgrounder to help the audience understand the important context.
-
The news program included a backgrounder that explained the recent policy changes to viewers.
-
During the briefing, the spokesperson delivered a concise backgrounder on the event to journalists.
Synonyms
∞
1.3
A written or spoken account that gives information about something
5
7.2
A short news meeting where people speak to reporters
How Detailed
- Formal
74
7.4
- Literature
4
7.4
368
3.7
- Literature
94
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
backgrounder = background (semi-transparent) = back + ground + er
The word is formed from 'background' plus '-er', so the structure is recognizable, but the specific reporting/briefing sense is somewhat specialized.
Etymology
The word backgrounder comes from background ('the information behind a story') plus the ending -er ('someone or something that gives'). A helpful way to remember it is to think of a short meeting or paper that gives reporters the 'background' they need to understand an event, often not for direct quotes, which is why a backgrounder is used as a private briefing to explain the context.