back forty

The phrase "back forty" typically refers to a large, secluded, or unused area of land located at the back of a property or beyond a specific point. It is commonly used in North America, especially in rural areas, to describe the farthest or least accessible part of a property, often used for agriculture, recreation, or other purposes. The term is derived from the idea that the designated area is approximately forty acres in size, although it can be used more loosely to describe any large, remote section of land.