The term "throwback" refers to something that is reminiscent of an earlier time or is a return to a previous style, idea, or behavior. It often indicates a person or object that recalls an earlier era, or it can describe a situation that evokes nostalgia for the past. In various contexts, it can also be used to suggest a regression or a reversion to less advanced or less developed traits.
The word "throwback" combines "throw," which comes from Old English "þrawan" meaning to cast or propel, and "back," indicating a return or reversion to a previous state. It is primarily used in English since the mid-20th century, particularly in contexts relating to biology or nostalgia.