A roughneck, a thug; specifically (usually with capital initials) a member of a mid-19th cent. Baltimore gang supporting the American Party and renowned for its violent behaviour; usually in plural.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Jamestown (New York) Journal.
Definition of rough skin in US English:
rough skin
noun
US historical
A roughneck, a thug; specifically (usually with capital initials) a member of a mid-19th cent. Baltimore gang supporting the American Party and renowned for its violent behaviour; usually in plural.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Jamestown (New York) Journal.