'hard-hitting' originates from English, specifically the combination of the adjective 'hard' and the present participle 'hitting'; 'hard' (from Old English 'heard') meant 'firm, severe' and 'hit' (from Middle English 'hitten' / Old English forms) meant 'to strike'.

'hard' comes from Old English 'heard' (meaning 'hard, severe') and became Middle English 'hard'; 'hit' developed through Middle English forms such as 'hitten' meaning 'to strike'; the compound 'hard-hitting' arose in modern English to describe something that 'strikes' with force (literally or figuratively).

Initially the components referred to physical striking ('hard' + 'to hit'), but over time the compound evolved to describe forceful or powerful effect in speech, writing, reporting, performance, etc.