Rough Trade Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rough trade

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In statement from the guitarist’s family, posted by band’s label Rough Trade on Monday, they said, “It is with deep sadness that we as a family regret to inform you that Matthew Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died after a long battle with his mental health. A talented musician and a kind, loving young man finally succumbed; despite all efforts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cobain went looking for their records at Rough Trade — the band’s original label — in London, and one of the staff working there explained that the records were out of print, but that Ana da Silva worked at an antique store not far away and that she might have a copy to give him.

From Salon

Catch Ken Womack in conversation with author Stephen T. Lewis at Rough Trade in NYC on Monday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

From Salon

While SOPHIE's was named Rough Trade's album of the year, some critics considered it too "safe" for such a pioneering and experimental talent.

From BBC

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.