or case, subs. (common).—1. A lazy fellow; a BAD-EGG (q.v.); a skulker. ONE OF THE QUEEN’S HARD-BARGAINS = a bad soldier.
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West, p. 71. La Bonté had lost all traces of civilised humanity, and might justly claim to be considered as HARD A CASE as any of the mountaineers then present.
1888. LYNCH, A Mountain Mystery, ch. xliii. A fellow who comes and goes between here and Rockville, generally considered a ‘HARD CASE,’ and believed to be more outlaw than miner.
2. (trade).—A defaulting debtor.
3. (nautical).—A brutal mate or officer. Also HARD-HORSE.
