Etymology Map
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Hinterland

2 stages from German to English.

Today it means the remote areas of a country away from the coast or cities

Where does the word "hinterland" come from? It comes from German Hinterland, adopted directly into English (1890s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Hinterland
German · 1800s
"land behind"
'land behind', used in colonial diplomacy for inland territory claimed behind a coastal colony
2
Stage 2 of 2
hinterland
English · 1890s
"back country"
borrowed during the 'Scramble for Africa'
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Read the full story

Hinterland’s story begins in German: Hinterland meant “land behind.” 'land behind', used in colonial diplomacy for inland territory claimed behind a coastal colony. It reached English by 1890s as hinterland. Borrowed during the 'Scramble for Africa'. Today, hinterland means the remote areas of a country away from the coast or cities.