subs. (American political).—1. A nickname for a member of the native American party; (2) a cut-throat ruffian.
1883. G. W. CABLE, The Great South Gate, in The Century Magazine, xxvi. June, 230. Affrays were still common; the Know-nothing movement came on, and a few ‘THUGS’ terrorized the city with campaign broils, beating, stabbing, and shooting.
1888. H. PORTER, The Philosophy of Courage, in The Century Magazine, xxxvi. June, 249. During our civil war the regiments which were composed of plug-uglies, THUGS, and midnight rounders, with noses laid over to one side as evidence of their prowess in bar-room mills and paving-stone riots, were generally cringing cowards in battle.
