infodump

or in·fo dump

[ in-foh-duhmp ]

noun

1. a large quantity of backstory, or background information, supplied at once, often as a narrative at the beginning of a story, film, etc.:

   The first eight pages are heavy with an infodump about Harry’s childhood in Iceland.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide a large quantity of (backstory) at once:

   I like when the background is fed to me gradually, rather than just infodumped.

2. to provide (a reader, viewer, etc.) with a large quantity of backstory at once:

   If you’re going to infodump us, at least make it interesting.

verb (used without object)

1. to provide a large quantity of backstory at once:

   In the rewrite, the author infodumps, which works well for this story.

Word History and Origins

Origin of infodump¹

First recorded in 1975–80; info ( def ) + dump ( def )

Example Sentences

The scene is a clunky infodump designed to establish Andrea as a major character: We learn that she is Richie’s former secretary and former lover.

From New York Times

Because that's all the conference call is - an excuse to infodump the Trenzalore material again at a nice, slow speed.

From Slate