Die hard (phrase) facts for kids
The phrase Die hard was first used a long time ago during a famous battle. It originally described soldiers who were incredibly brave and refused to give up, even when things were very tough. Today, this phrase has a wider meaning. It describes anyone who strongly believes in something and won't change their mind, no matter what.
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The Phrase's Military Beginning
The words "die hard" were first spoken during a big battle called the Battle of Albuera in 1811. This battle was part of the Peninsular War. A brave officer named Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis was leading the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot. He was hurt during the fight, but he didn't leave.
Instead, Inglis stayed with his soldiers, encouraging them. He famously shouted, "Die hard 57th, die hard!" as they faced a strong attack from the French army. Because of their incredible bravery that day, the 57th Regiment earned the nickname 'The Die Hards'.
Later, the term "die hard" was sometimes used to describe older army officers. These officers wanted to keep the army's old ways, even when Parliament tried to make new changes in the late 1860s.
"Die Hard" in British Politics
The word "die-hard" (often written with a hyphen) also became popular in British politics.
Early Political "Die-Hards"
The first political "die-hards" appeared around 1909. At that time, there was a big disagreement about how much power the House of Lords (a part of the British Parliament) should have. Some politicians, like Richard Verney, 19th Baron Willoughby de Broke, strongly believed the House of Lords should keep its power. They refused to accept changes that would reduce it. These people were often called "die-hards" because they wouldn't give up their beliefs.
Later Political Groups
The term was used again between 1918 and 1922 to describe a group of politicians who didn't agree with the government at the time. Many of these "die-hards" had similar strong beliefs as the earlier group.
In the 1930s, the term "die-hard" came back to describe another group within the Conservative Party. This group included people like Henry Page Croft, who had been a "die-hard" before. They strongly opposed any steps towards India becoming independent. Interestingly, this group also included Winston Churchill, even though he had disagreed with the original "die-hards" on some issues.
Modern Uses of "Die Hard"
Today, the phrase "die hard" is used more generally. It describes anyone who is very determined and won't change their mind about a belief or a goal.
You might also know the term from the popular action movie series Die Hard. These movies star Bruce Willis as a tough police officer named John McClane, who definitely fits the "die hard" description!
See also
- Die hard (disambiguation)
