backwater

[ bak-waw-ter, -wot-er ]

/ ˈbækˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /

water held or forced back, as by a dam, flood, or tide.

a place or state of stagnant backwardness: This area of the country is a backwater that continues to resist progress.

an isolated, peaceful place.

a stroke executed by pushing a paddle forward, causing a canoe to move backward.

Origin of backwater

1350–1400; Middle English bakwateres; see back², water

In contrast, says Aftergood, “security has traditionally been a backwater that hires former military personnel and muscle men.”

Intelligence Community Aims to Get Tough on Leaks |Eli Lake |June 21, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
State of Wonder borrows some plot points; Marina is delayed in a backwater before heading down the river, like Marlow.

Ann Patchett’s 'State of Wonder' and Other Twists on Classic Novels |Caryn James |December 7, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Western Europe—sticking out into the cold North Atlantic, far from the centers of action—had always been a backwater.

Why the West Rules—For Now |Ian Morris |December 25, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
To be sure, patriot-Americans are not know-nothing nativists or backwater rubes, nor are post-Americans traitors.

A 'Black President' Is of No Value to America |Rich Benjamin |November 4, 2008 |DAILY BEAST

The room faced the backwater of traffic, and was very silent.

The Forsyte Saga, Complete |John Galsworthy
At the back lay a marsh or lagoon, which evidently was at one time a channel for the backwater of the river.

The Pacification of Burma |Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite
A horn of bank with alder bushes ran out into the stream, a smooth eddy or backwater curling within.

A Monk of Fife |Andrew Lang
He has a great house in one of the backwater squares of New York, for his office.

The Black Box |E. Phillips Oppenheim
Crossing to another lake or backwater, one might find the whole flock, or possibly the gobblers, with not a hen around.

The Wild Turkey and Its Hunting |Edward A. McIlhenny

backwater

/ (ˈbækˌwɔːtə) /

a body of stagnant water connected to a river

water held or driven back, as by a dam, flood, or tide

an isolated, backward, or intellectually stagnant place or condition

(intr) to reverse the direction of a boat, esp to push the oars of a rowing boat