How to add just one package from backports?

[James Michael Fultz]

* Chris G <cl at isbd.net> [2010-02-04 18:16 +0000]:
> Is there an easy way to add just one package from a backports
> repository? 
> 
> I want to add a package to xubuntu 9.10 but I don't want update to
> suddenly offer me loads of new packages that I don't want.

You could try APT pinning.

<https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PinningHowto>

I've used pinning with a third-party repository before with good
results.  If you give the backports repository a priority of 100, it
will not upgrade already installed packages.  apt_preferences(5)
explains the significance of priorities.