rough trade

American  

[ruhf treyd] / ˈrʌf ˈtreɪd /

noun

Slang.

1. gay male prostitution, especially involving brutality or sadism.

2. a gay male prostitute who engages in brutality or sadism, or such gay men collectively.

3. violent, often brutal sex acts.

4. a lower-class man who is found sexually attractive by a gay man from a higher social class.

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rough trade British  

noun

1. slang (in homosexual use) a tough or violent sexual partner, esp a lorry driver, construction worker, or docker, casually picked up

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Etymology

Origin of rough trade

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rough trade

Belgium was asked by the EU to draft a proposal and it hopes to retain Antwerp as the main hub for rough trade.

From Reuters ● Nov. 3, 2023

His final column, published on New Year's Eve, focused on the challenges facing journalists "and their rough trade" in 2018.

From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2018

Yes," I answered, "but they are incident to the rough trade I follow, which is that of a hunter and explorer.

From Allan and the Holy Flower by Haggard, Henry Rider

Think what it meant to work out of such a crude, rough trade into one so delicate!

From Christopher and the Clockmakers by Stecher, William F. (William Frederick)

He is a simple workman, who toils ten hours a day at his rough trade of iron-worker to supply his wants.'

From The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 or The Foundation of the French Republic, A Tale of The French Revolution by Sue, Eug?ne