Cold feet

By Anne Johnston

@AnneEJ (4917)

Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

January 22, 2016 9:01am CST

The other day in a comment I mentioned the phrase "cold feet" meaning that I changed my mind about going out because of the weather forecast. I was thinking about it and wondering just where the phrase originated. It means to lose your desire or nerve to do something at the last minute. It is often used in connection with brides who are nervous and change their minds on their wedding day. The phrase is attributed to American author, Stephen Crane, who added it to the second edition of his novel, Maggie, a Girl of the Streets, but others attribute it to an earlier author. Do you ever use that expression?

6 people like this

7 responses

@boiboing (13147)

• Northampton, England

22 Jan 16

Yes, but I might be inclined to say somebody 'lost their bottle' more often than that they 'got cold feet'.

3 people like this

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

22 Jan 16

That sounds like an English phrase. Never heard it before.

1 person likes this

@boiboing (13147)

• Northampton, England

22 Jan 16

@DianneN That doesn't surprise me.

2 people like this

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

23 Jan 16

Never heard that one, thanks for sharing.

1 person likes this

@marlina (154103)

• Canada

22 Jan 16

I heard the expression before but can't remember if I used it or not.

3 people like this

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

23 Jan 16

I think I have head it all my life, and knew what it meant, but wondered where it came from.

1 person likes this

@salonga (27775)

• Philippines

23 Jan 16

Yes I do use that expression without even knowing where it originated.

2 people like this

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

23 Jan 16

It is fun to look up the origins of some of these old sayings

1 person likes this

@silvermist (19701)

• India

22 Jan 16

@AnneEJ While I do not use it ,I have come across this phrase often.

2 people like this

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

22 Jan 16

I have heard it used a lot, but don't know any brides who backed out at the last minute

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502208)

• Italy

22 Jan 16

I have never heard this phrase before, but I am not American and English is not my native language.

1 person likes this

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

23 Jan 16

You probably have something similar in your language.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502208)

• Italy

24 Jan 16

@AnneEJ We have many sayings, but nothing comes to my mind for the phrase "to change your mind".

@Elizaby (6902)

• Pensacola, Florida

24 Jan 16

I have heard it all my life especially when one of an engaged couple changes their mind.

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

22 Jan 16

Personally, I don't use it, but have heard it many times.