Used fig., chiefly in the phrase to show the cold shoulder, explained in the Glossary to the Antiquary as ‘To appear cold and reserved‘; now also To give the cold shoulder: to display intentional and marked coldness, or studied indifference.
(A ‘cold shoulder of mutton’ as a dish has suggested many puns and allusive uses.)
1816. Scott, Antiq., xxxiii. ‘The Countess’s dislike didna gang farther at first than just showing o’ the cauld shouther.’ Ibid. (1824), St. Ronan’s, xxx. ‘I must tip him the cold shoulder, or he will be pestering me eternally.’
1840. Dickens, Old C. Shop, lxvi. He gives me the cold shoulder on this very matter.
1860. Thackeray, Lovel, i. [She] got to dislike me at last and to show me the cold shoulder.
1864. Reader, 611. The cold shoulder given from the Admiralty.
1884. Mrs. Riddell, Berna Boyle, I. xi. 196. The cold shoulder is not a palatable dish.
