The term "thick skinned" refers to someone who can take criticism or harsh words without being emotionally affected. The word "thick" is spelled with the voiced dental fricative /ð/ and a velar fricative /k/ sound, while "skinned" is spelled with the voiced alveolar fricative /s/ and the nasal /n/ at the end. Together, the IPA phonetic transcription for "thick skinned" is /θɪk skɪnd/, which accurately represents the pronunciation of the word. Having a thick skin can be a valuable trait in dealing with adversity and maintaining emotional resilience.
The term "thick-skinned" refers to someone who possesses a certain level of emotional resilience or insensitivity to criticism, insults, or negative comments. It is an idiomatic expression that is often used metaphorically to describe individuals who are not easily affected by others' opinions or actions.
A person who is described as being thick-skinned demonstrates the ability to endure negative feedback or difficult situations without becoming emotionally affected or discouraged. They display a remarkable degree of self-confidence and are able to maintain a calm and composed demeanor even in the face of adversity. Thick-skinned individuals possess a certain level of emotional detachment, enabling them to protect themselves from feelings of hurt or rejection.
This term can also imply that a person has learned to develop a tough exterior, shielding their emotions and preventing others from unsettling them easily. While being thick-skinned can have its advantages, such as being able to navigate conflicts or criticism without being overly impacted, it can also lead to potential drawbacks, such as being perceived as insensitive or lacking empathy.
In summary, when someone is described as being thick-skinned, it suggests that they have developed the ability to handle criticism, rejection, or negative experiences without succumbing to emotional distress and maintaining a level-headed approach.
The phrase "thick-skinned" originated from a literal description of an animal's skin that is thick and difficult to penetrate. However, it later evolved into a metaphorical sense to describe a person's ability to withstand criticism, insults, or ridicule without being easily hurt or affected. The term first appeared in the English language in the 16th century, combining the words "thick" (meaning dense or heavy) and "skin" (referring to the outer covering of an organism). The metaphorical usage gained popularity over time, specifically in the 19th century, and has been widely used ever since to describe individuals who are emotionally resilient or unaffected by negative comments or situations.