Having a tough outer shell; used to describe crustaceans, nuts, or people who are tough and unyielding.
Compound of 'hard' and 'shell' (Old English 'sciell'). Literally describes creatures with hard exoskeletons; metaphorically applied to tough, inflexible people.
Crabs and lobsters molt (shed their shells) to grow—so 'hardshell' ones are old and often cannibalistic survivors, making the word a brilliant metaphor for people hardened by experience and willing to do whatever it takes.
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