hard words

Noun

hard word (plural hard words)

1. (in plural) An unkind word or comment; an insult.
   • He would send the hard word round the country about me and my leman.1891, Bram Stoker, Snake's Pass
2. (literally) A word which is difficult to understand or spell.
3. (Australia, Ireland) A tip-off, or piece of inside information; a password.
   • […] but, I don't know how it was, I didn't at all feel comfortable with the priests; for you see I'd rather sport my day figure with the boys and girls upon the green: so I gives Jack the hard word,* and in we went, when, behold you, there was Father Corrigan planted upon the side of a Settle, Mary...1834 [1830], William Carleton, “Shane Fadh's Wedding”, in Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, 3rd edition, Dublin: William Frederick Wakeman, pages 179–180
4. (Australia, New Zealand, UK, colloquial) A persistent or rude request, especially for money.
   • The other thing that happened in 1969 was that José put the hard word on his brother again. This time José wanted him to join his slate for the elections to the local leadership of the metalworkers' union.2003, Peter Robb, A Death in Brazil, Bloomsbury, published 2005, page 97