All of us at one time or another have been given the cold shoulder. This means we've been snubbed by someone or have received intentionally cold or unsympathetic treatment. I've always thought that the phrase literally meant someone's shoulder. But as I learnt today, the shoulder actually refers to the shoulder of an animal.
During the Middle Ages, the shoulder of an animal was the least desirable part for food. This meant that the shoulder was often the piece of meat left over that no one really wanted. Often, beggars would received shoulders of meat that were cold. And among the rich, if you as a guest overstayed your welcome, at the next meal, you would very likely receive a cold shoulder of meat which was a polite hint telling you that it's time for you to hit the road. What an amazing history for such a hurtful phrase.
