Tough As Thunderstones
Prepare for an unexpected twist in the tapestry of popular idioms we so often weave into our everyday language. The well-worn expression “hard as hell,” a staple in our lexicon of emphasis, may actually be a case of widespread miscommunication. Brace yourselves: linguistic purists have unearthed evidence suggesting the original phrase was “hard as hail.” Indeed, this revelation makes a compelling case—after all, hailstones are known for their icy solidity.
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Yet, the plot thickens when we consider the fiery counterpart to this phrase, “hot as hell.” Here, the comparison falters; hail, chilling and frosty, bears no resemblance to the searing inferno of hell’s eternal blaze. A cursory investigation online confirms the “hail” origin, but cultural inertia favors the hellish variant. It seems that “hard as hell” might continue to reign supreme in the court of public opinion, its euphonic allure too powerful to dethrone..