Definition of toughie

The origin of the word "toughie" can be traced back to the late 19th century in Britain. Initially, "toughie" was used as a slang term for a boxer or prizefighter who was particularly skilful and difficult to defeat due to their tenacity and resilience inside the ring. The term "toughie" was derived from the word "tough," which originally meant "hard" or "rigid" in the mid-16th century. In the context of boxing, "tough" began to be used as a descriptor for a fighter who was exceptionally durable and resilient in the early 20th century. By the early 1900s, "toughie" had become a popular slang term for such fighters, a word that evolved from the contraction of "tough" and the diminutive suffix "-ie." The usage of "toughie" gradually spread beyond the world of boxing to describe people or things that were particularly difficult to deal with or overcome. Today, "toughie" is commonly used as an informal term to describe difficult or challenging tasks, particularly ones that require significant effort or resilience. In summary, the word "toughie" originated in the late 19th century as a slang term for a skilled and durable boxer, and has since evolved to describe people or things that are especially challenging to overcome.