E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hard,
meaning difficult, is like the French dur; as, “hard of hearing,” “qui a l’oreille dure;” “a hard word,” “un terme dur;” “’tis a hard case,” “c’est une chose bien dure;” “hard times,” “les temps sont durs;” so also “hardly earned,” “qu’on gagne bien durement;” “hard-featured,” “dont les traits sont durs;” “hard-hearted,” “qui a le cœur dur,” and many other phrases.
