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Interesting word history, usage — ‘hardcore’ meant bricks and stone
By Gary | October 27, 2008
When you see or hear the word "hardcore," do you think of bricks or p*rn?
This is one of those words which fascinate me, both in it's origin and in it's changes in meaning. If you "Google" the word or trace the word's etymology in a dictionary, you may be surprised the origin goes back to stone masonry, brick laying, etc. The "hardcore" was a layer of broken stones or bricks which could be compressed into a sub-foundation or footing for a building project. I gather "hardcore" wasn't preferred to solid rock, but was considered a reliable alternative if done carefully.
Today's use of the word seems to center mostly around two concepts: 1) meaning strongly committed or dedicated to something, or, 2) sexually explicit. I'm sure there are other uses of "hardcore" (I even found a nutritional product marketed as a fat burner primarily used by body builders named "Hydroxycut hardcore.")
There's a logical progression, if you think about it, behind this expansion in meaning from sturdy building foundations to dedicated, strong commitments. I suppose I can even see the same progression to the sexual use of the word.
What are some word histories that you find interesting? Leave a comment and share your favorites.
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