thug
UK: θʌɡ | US: θʌɡ
n. a violent or brutal criminal; a ruffian or gangster.
n. (historical) a member of a religious organization of robbers and assassins in India.
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The word "thug" originates from the Hindi word "thag" (ठग), meaning "swindler" or "deceiver." It entered English in the early 19th century during British colonial rule in India, referring to members of a secretive criminal cult (Thuggee) who robbed and murdered travelers. Over time, the term broadened to describe any violent criminal, losing its specific cultural association. The word’s evolution reflects colonial encounters and the universalization of its meaning in English.
The police arrested a notorious thug involved in multiple robberies.
In the 1800s, British officials worked to suppress the thugs who terrorized Indian highways.
The movie portrayed the thug as a ruthless enforcer for the crime syndicate.
He used to be a thug but turned his life around after serving time in prison.
The term "thug" is sometimes controversially applied in modern discourse to stereotype individuals.