cold fish

C

cold fish (idiom)
/koʊld fɪʃ/

The idiomatic phrase “cold fish” is used to describe a person who is emotionally distant, unfriendly, or unemotional. The term’s origin is tied to the natural characteristics of a fish, which is cold to the touch and lacks visible signs of warmth or emotion.

Meaning

• Someone who seems unfriendly and who does not share their feelings.
• A person who is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or lacking warmth.
• Someone reserved or detached in social situations.
• A person who appears indifferent or unresponsive to others.
• Someone socially aloof or withdrawn.

Synonyms: aloof person; stoic; unfeeling person; iceberg; lone wolf; detached.

Example Sentences

1. She’s a real cold fish; she never offers a word of praise or comfort.
2. During the party, he was a cold fish, sitting by himself and not talking to anyone.
3. The new manager is a cold fish who rarely interacts with her employees.
4. After his divorce, he became a cold fish, seemingly indifferent to everyone’s feelings.
5. Despite the good news, her reaction was muted, and she seemed like a cold fish.

Origin and History

This is the most widely accepted theory about the phrase’s origin. Fish are cold-blooded creatures with no capacity to show human-like warmth or emotion. Their unblinking stare and lack of facial expressions make them appear indifferent and unfeeling. The coldness and stillness of a fish are seen as a metaphor for a person who seems detached and unresponsive to others. This simple, direct comparison to a fish’s physical nature is the most straightforward explanation for the idiom.

Shakespearean Connection

One theory suggests the phrase has a much older origin and can be traced back to the works of William Shakespeare. In his play The Winter’s Tale, a character named Autolycus tells a story about a fish that was thought to be a woman turned into a “cold fish” because she would not “exchange flesh with one that loved her.” This line is seen by some as a direct reference to the idiom. However, the phrase’s usage didn’t become common until much later, which makes some question if this was the phrase’s true beginning or just an early, coincidental use of the words.

A Modern Invention

While some believe the phrase to be ancient, a more modern theory suggests it appeared much later. This theory points to the early 20th century, specifically the 1920s and 1940s, as the time the term first came into widespread use. The earliest printed records of the term are found in this period, which suggests that the idiom might be a more recent creation, rather than a phrase with roots in the past.

Earliest Appearance

Based on available records, the earliest printed record of the term “cold fish” is from the 1940s. While some sources reference a possible older use in a Shakespeare play, the phrase’s consistent and idiomatic use in print becomes apparent in the early to mid-20th century. One of the earliest documented uses is from a 1941 work by an author named Patricia Wentworth.

Country of Origin

The phrase appeared in the English language, but its country of origin is not precisely documented. The idiom’s appearance in an early 20th-century American reference and in the works of a British writer around the same time suggests it was likely in use in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cold, Feeling, Fish