Back or Backside? Choosing the Right Word

When people translate the German word “Rückseite,” they often use the word “backside” in English.

In British English, the word “backside” means the part of your body that you sit on.

(Other words we use include “bottom,” “buttocks,” “rear,” “posterior,” “bum” or even“arse”.)

That’s why I recommend using words like “the back,” “the other side” or “the reverse” to avoid confusion.

The English language has many words with different meanings.

Take the word “slip,” for example. It can mean to fall or slide. But it can also mean a piece of underwear.

Imagine saying you had a slip in the office—you might give your colleagues the wrong idea!

Have you ever experienced an embarrassing mix-up of words at work?