harsh
verbEtymology From Middle English harsk, harisk(e), hask(e), herris. Century derived the term from Old Norse harskr (whence Danish harsk (“rancid”), dialectal Norwegian hersk, Swedish härsk, Swedish härsken); the Middle English Dictionary derives it from that and Middle Low German harsch (“rough”, literally “hairy”) (whence also German harsch), from haer (“hair”), from Old Saxon hār, from Proto-West Germanic *hār; the Oxford Dictionary of English derives it from Middle Low German alone.
1
Ambitransitive, Slang To negatively criticize.
- Quit harshing me already, I said that I was sorry!
- Stop harshing on yourself. Who said you're the ugly sister?2008, An Na, The Fold:
1 more example
- “Stop harshing on me, Daddy.” “Harshing?” “Don't yell at me. I didn't do anything.”2009, Richard Powers, Gain:
2
Ambitransitive, Slang To put a damper on (a mood).
- Dude, you're harshing my buzz.
- They're always harshing on the plan, but we're still going through with it.
4 more examples
- On their third date, Lizzie had actually said to him, "You're sort of harshing my mellow." It made him wonder if she might be stupid, and not just young.1999, Kurt Andersen, Turn of the century, page 508:
- "They're mostly mercenaries these days. But whose?" "Serbian mercenaries? You're harshing my groove, man. I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that...."2003, Robert Ludlum, The Janson Directive, page 355:
- "Getting back to the issue of the child," Tina said, harshing our buzz as usual, "I really think you should reconsider...."2006, MaryJanice Davidson, Undead and Unpopular, page 776:
- He's totally harshing my vibe," Lila said airily. "Someone should tell him to get over himself. He's lucky I even invited him!"2008, Kate William with Francine Pascal, Secrets - Page 70:
- Synonyms
- rough
- Derived terms
- harsh down, harsh one's mellow