I think it's a regional/dialect term, maybe a "northern" usage. I grew up in London where it was never used, so far as I know. And it's not used in Cornwall where I now live.

Hi Julien, we have never used it here in London!! My hubby says and he is from York, that if you say' backend' and add the words 'of the year', then people would understand.

Hi You may be right both of you, its possibly a regional saying, i have posed this question to a number of clients here in derby and they use this term.

I'm from Yorkshire originally and I think most people there would understand the expression "in the backend" usually referring to late autumn

I use it sometimes,and think a lot of Yorkshire people do..

Definitely a term that Yorkshire folk use but if you said it up here in any part of Scotland you would be met with blank looks.

Having started life in Yorkshire I recognise it as it my dad would say 'back end of next week. But I dont think I have ever heard it anywhere else.
In North Norfolk, one person when meeting 2 or more acquaintances says 'hello together'. I love these local differences.

I use it , and i'm Derbyshire born and bred. i've never given it much thought before.:o)

In London we tend, or I do, to say 'tail end' of the year, but always with the 'of the year' added. If someone said just back end to me, I don't think the time of year would be the first thing that sprang to mind, something quite other would present itself in my thoughts...

Lol Bamboo, my thoughts precisely!!!

Ha ha lol.

All right, I'll just come out and say it. Here it would refer to ones bum:)

Ooohh Lil, such a naughty word!! :~)