Hard-shell, subs. (American).—A member of an extreme section of
Baptists holding very strict and rigid views. [The soft-shells are of
more liberal mind.] Also Hards and Softs.
1848. Jones, Sketches of Travel, p. 30. The old hard-shell laid
about him like rath.
1888. Baltimore Sun. Mr. E., a regular member of the hard-shell
Baptist Church.
1893. Stevenson, Island Night’s Entertainments, p. 35. He’s a
hard-shell Baptist is Papa.
2. (political American).—A division of the Democratic Party in 1846–48,
when the Hunkers (q.v.) received the name of Hards, and their
opponents, the Barn-burners (q.v.) that of Softs.
1847. Robb, Squatter Life, p. 91. Hards, softs, whigs and Tylerites
were represented.
Adj. (American).—Extremely orthodox; unyielding; hidebound.
Hard-stuff, subs. (American).—1. Money.
2. (Australian).—Intoxicating liquors; see Hard (adj. sense 2). For
synonyms see Drinks.
Hard-tack, subs. (nautical).—1. Ship’s biscuits; specifically, ordinary
sea-fare as distinguished from food ashore, or Soft-Tommy (q.v.).
1841. Lever, Charles O’Malley, ch. lxxxviii. No more hard-tack,
thought I, no salt butter, but a genuine land breakfast.
1889. Lippincott, Oct., p. 476. They have feasted on salt horse and
hard-tack many a day; but they know a good thing when they find it.