rough trade

[ ruhf treyd ]

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

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rough trade¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

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

Tim, by contrast, has a lot of feelings about God, and one particular Republican; as a conservative anti-communist Catholic who reveres Joseph McCarthy, he struggles with his faith and with his sexuality — which Hawk, who passes easily for straight and slides encounters with random rough trade carelessly into his schedule — does not struggle with at all.

From Los Angeles Times

A swish artist was trumpeting “13 Most Wanted Men,” complete with clear undertones of enthusiasm for illicit rough trade.

From Los Angeles Times

It took an English punk label, Rough Trade, to release “Lucinda Williams,” her 1988 breakthrough album.

From New York Times

Stein was a lover of UK music and was a partner on Fleetwood Mac's first label Blue Horizon, and signed licensing deals with UK labels like Rough Trade and Creation.

From BBC