Definition of hassle

The word "hassle" originated in the United States during the early 20th century. Its exact origin is uncertain, but some sources trace it to the American Midwest, where it was used as a slang term for a variety of inconveniences or annoyances. One plausible theory proposes that "hassle" evolved from the earlier word "hastle," which meant to hurry or move quickly. Some linguists suggest that "hastle" eventually transformed into "hassle" due to a misinterpretation or mispronunciation by speakers who mistook the "ts" sound in "hastle" for the "ss" sound in "fussle," which itself eventually transformed into "hussle" and then "hassle." Another hypothesis proposes that "hassle" may have derived from an earlier Northern English dialect term "hasset," which meant "raised row" or "high conflict," and was primarily used in relation to farming and agriculture disputes. Regardless of its exact origin, it is clear that "hassle" has come to signify a wide range of irritating or troublesome experiences, from minor inconveniences to major challenges. In contemporary usage, "hassle" can refer to any situation or interaction that causes annoyance, frustration, or discomfort.