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. W. T. THOMPSON, Major Jones’s 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. R. L. STEVENSON, Island Nights’ 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, Streaks of Squatter Life, p. 91. HARDS, softs, whigs and Tylerites were represented.
Adj. (American).—Extremely orthodox; unyielding; hidebound.
