Where did the term backbeat come from?

Question

In most modern music in 4/4 beats 2 and 4 are where the snare hits are and are usually referred to as the backbeat. Normally in 4/4 the 2 and 4 beat would not be accented, but the snare hits do just that. Where did this idea originate and why is it so important to accent 2 and 4?

Answer 1

guitar strumming patterns in early country music