'hardship' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'hardship,' where 'hard' meant 'difficult' and '-ship' denoted a state or condition.

'hardship' changed from the Old English word 'heardscip' and eventually became the modern English word 'hardship'.

Initially, it meant 'a state of being hard or difficult,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'severe suffering or privation'.