This word, which is at least three centuries old, has generally displaced “ironmongery.” The latter word occurs in an advertisement in the Lancaster (Pa.) Journal, Aug. 13, 1817.
a. 1515. Hard waremen, mole sellers, and ratte takers.—Cocke Lorell’s Bote. (N.E.D.) The meaning here is uncertain.
1577. Harrison’s ‘Description of England’ (Oliphant).
1724. Mr. Wood, a mean ordinary man, a hardware-dealer, procured a patent under his majesty’s broad seal to coin 108,000l. in copper for this kingdom.—Swift, ‘Drapier’s Letters,’ v. 14. (N.E.D.)
1818. Sturtevant, Trout, and Gurney have for sale a general assortment of Dry and Hard Ware Goods.—Advt., Blakeley (Ala.) Sun, Dec. 22.
