'cold-shoulder' originates from the English phrase 'give someone the cold shoulder,' where 'cold' meant 'unfriendly' and 'shoulder' referred to turning away from someone.

The phrase 'give someone the cold shoulder' was used in the 19th century to describe a form of social rejection.

Initially, it meant 'to offer a cold shoulder of mutton to an unwelcome guest,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to ignore or reject someone.'