Giving someone the cold shoulder is a common expression. Today, it is an expression used to describe when someone is intentionally ignoring you out of anger.
For example:
I don't know why he's giving me the cold shoulder. I never wronged him in any way.
But have you ever wondered how this expression started?
I did, and now I'm writing this to share my findings.
It all started many years ago, back in the early 1800's. Back then, a cooked shoulder of mutton (sheep) was called the 'cauld shouther'. This part of the sheep was considered an inferior meat, being quite tough. It was a "poor man's dish".
Giving someone the 'cauld shouther' was regarded as a polite way to tell guests that they had overstayed their stay - that it was time to leave. It was a subtle hint that the guest was no longer welcome.
I suppose the guests then had a reason to give their hosts the cold shoulder.
Get it?
For example:
I don't know why he's giving me the cold shoulder. I never wronged him in any way.
But have you ever wondered how this expression started?
I did, and now I'm writing this to share my findings.
It all started many years ago, back in the early 1800's. Back then, a cooked shoulder of mutton (sheep) was called the 'cauld shouther'. This part of the sheep was considered an inferior meat, being quite tough. It was a "poor man's dish".
Giving someone the 'cauld shouther' was regarded as a polite way to tell guests that they had overstayed their stay - that it was time to leave. It was a subtle hint that the guest was no longer welcome.
I suppose the guests then had a reason to give their hosts the cold shoulder.
Get it?
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