An individual so entrenched in a pattern of behaviour that they would rather die than cease to act in that manner.

The British won the battle of Albuera on 16 May 1811, and although the battle is generally considered a strategic mistake it provided the esprit de corps that aided Wellington in future battles against Napolean's superior forces.

The vicotory was due in large part to the heroic action of the famous British 57th Foot commanded by Colonel William Inglis. His regiment, part of a thin line of 1800 redcoats, occupied an important strategic position in the small Spanish village and had been pinned down by deadly French fire.

"Die hard, fifty-seventh, die hard!" Inglis cried out from where he lay wounded.

His men responded. Of 579 troops, 438 were killed or wounded and the regiment passed into legend as the Die Hards. Later the nickname was used to describe ultraconservative political groups or individuals refusing to change with the times, many of them far less honourable than the 57th. From this it has adopted the additional meaning as given by semprini.

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