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.