E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cold Shoulder.
To show or give one the cold shoulder is to assume a distant manner towards a person, to indicate that you wish to cut his acquaintance. The reference is to a cold shoulder of mutton served to a stranger at dinner; there is not much of it, and even what is left is but moderate fare.
