hard word

== English == === Noun === hard word (plural hard words) (now chiefly in the plural) An unkind word or comment; an insult. [from 13th c.] (literally) A word which is difficult to understand or spell. [from 16th c.] (Ireland, Australia) A tip-off, or piece of inside information; a password. [from 19th c.] (UK, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial) A persistent or rude request, especially for money. [from 20th c.] For more quotations using this term, see Citations:hard word.