Word Origin & History
thug
1810, "member of a gang of murderers and robbers in India who strangled their victims," from Marathi thag, thak "cheat, swindler," Hindi thag, perhaps from Skt. sthaga-s "cunning, fraudulent," possibly from sthagayati "(he) covers, conceals," from PIE base *(s)teg- "cover" (see stegosaurus). Transferred sense of "ruffian, cutthroat" first recorded 1839. The more correct Indian name is phanseegur, and the activity was described in Eng. as far back as c.1665. Rigorously prosecuted by the British from 1831, they were driven from existence, but the process extended over the rest of the 19c.
thug
1810, "member of a gang of murderers and robbers in India who strangled their victims," from Marathi thag, thak "cheat, swindler," Hindi thag, perhaps from Skt. sthaga-s "cunning, fraudulent," possibly from sthagayati "(he) covers, conceals," from PIE base *(s)teg- "cover" (see stegosaurus). Transferred sense of "ruffian, cutthroat" first recorded 1839. The more correct Indian name is phanseegur, and the activity was described in Eng. as far back as c.1665. Rigorously prosecuted by the British from 1831, they were driven from existence, but the process extended over the rest of the 19c.
A thug is a a follower in society, NOT a leader, thugs are lead by leaders, a thug don't think for himself, he thinks what a leader tells him, he follows trends that are almost always go against common sense, a stupid thug goes to prison because they always do a leaders dirty work, a stupid thug is usually a criminal and a member in a gang.
by Captain Cripsta December 21, 2009
To be a true thug doesnt mean wearing "bling", listening to rap and talking "black". Being a gangsta isnt superficial.. To be a true thug means you havent had it good your whole life, and you intend to change that, and get out of the ghetto if thats where you are, you do whats right, you dont take shit from anyone, and stand up for your friends and dont let them take shit from anyone! You dont have to be a stereotypical "gangsta" to be a thug, a skater can be a thug, a nerd can be a thug, a hick can be a thug, a prep can be a thug, and old ass man can be a thug! So forget your stupid fucking stereotypes and thinking that everybody has to fit into one group, and be labeled. And i'll tell you what... Damn it feels good to be a gangster!
by Zack Jackson January 22, 2006
A person, usually a man, who has taken to a life of violent crime. Usually raised in a hostile, deprived environment. They could be hanging with gangs on street corners. They differ from gangsters in the respect that hey are not into organising crime. A thug could graduate into a gangster and may work for one, while still doing spontaneous muggings or dealing.
When in gangs they can be proprietary about their turf.
When in gangs they can be proprietary about their turf.
"mama am a thug, mama am a thug..."
by Container October 12, 2003
#1: "THUG ME! THUG ME! IT'S THE WAY YOU THUG ME"
#2:
Me: Oooh baby. My man thugged me real good last night... it hurts to walk haha!
You: Your man thugged you? That little abusive bitch... I'mma call the police on his ass.
Me: No. Thugged. As in fucked real hard? Sounds like you need a good thugging yourself, gurl.
#2:
Me: Oooh baby. My man thugged me real good last night... it hurts to walk haha!
You: Your man thugged you? That little abusive bitch... I'mma call the police on his ass.
Me: No. Thugged. As in fucked real hard? Sounds like you need a good thugging yourself, gurl.
by lovemeloveme1 December 7, 2010
by Bill_Buttlicker November 1, 2023
Originally a reference to a violent group/cult in India but etymologically anglicized to refer to a brutal criminal in general for most of the latter 19th and 20th century. The word was adopted/co-opted by the American Rap and Hip Hop music scene in the late 20th century generally defining a tough anti-hero with criminal involvement.
Recently the white conservative movement in the U.S.A. has adopted it as a substantive replacement for the vulgar and toxic term "nigger" which is no longer safe for use in most media channels.
Recently the white conservative movement in the U.S.A. has adopted it as a substantive replacement for the vulgar and toxic term "nigger" which is no longer safe for use in most media channels.
Livin' life thug style -- Tupac (To live and die in L.A. 1996).
"Obama is an Indonesian Muslim turned welfare thug and a racist in chief'"(Mark Williams)
"Obama is an Indonesian Muslim turned welfare thug and a racist in chief'"(Mark Williams)
by Howlwoh September 17, 2009
"The English word thug, meaning a violent criminal, comes from the Hindi word thag (and originally from the Sanskrit word sthaga), meaning a thief or villain."Back in the 1500's or so ,not really sure about the date, there was a god, in which ladies would come to. They would scarfice items to it, and also cut themselfs and the men would come and still there sacrifics and beat the women and they call themselfs thugs"The original Thugs were bands of roving criminals in India who strangled and robbed travellers. Originally these gangs committed murder following precise religious rites to honour Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction."
by cayzie1~wocay~ March 5, 2006