Cold as Cornbread
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "cold as cornbread" or "cold as yesterday’s cornbread" means very cold, either literally (weather, temperature) or figuratively (a person’s manner). It’s a country comparison drawn straight from the kitchen.
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I never heard 'cold as yesterday’s cornbread' growin' up. But I can tell you: once cornbread gets old, it's hardly worth eatin'. I never heard 'cold as yesterday’s cornbread' growin' up. But I can tell you: once cornbread gets old, it's hardly worth eatin'. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- Very cold (adjective phrase)
How cold is it out?Cold as yesterday’s cornbread.- Unfriendly or harsh (adjective phrase, figurative)
She didn’t hardly speak.Yep, cold as cornbread.Origin and Etymology
Draws from everyday food life: cornbread is best served hot, but once it cools - especially overnight - it turns stiff, dry, and unappealing. Country speakers carried that vivid comparison into their language for anything that feels frigid or unkind.
Usage Notes
Still heard in Southern and Appalachian storytelling. Less common outside the region, though its meaning is easy to grasp. The "yesterday’s cornbread" version adds humor and local flavor.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "cold as cornbread." Often lengthened to "cold as yesterday’s cornbread" for extra color.
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