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.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #FoodandDrink #Southern #BodyandHealth

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I never heard 'cold as yesterday’s cornbread' growin' up. But I can tell you: once cornbread gets old, it's hardly worth eatin'.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

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

[KOHLD az CORN-bred]

Meaning & Usage

- Very cold (adjective phrase)

Mae:

How cold is it out?

Earl:

Cold as yesterday’s cornbread.

- Unfriendly or harsh (adjective phrase, figurative)

Mae:

She didn’t hardly speak.

Earl:

Yep, cold as cornbread.

variations: cold as yesterday’s cornbread

★ This saying is a cleaner, family-friendly alternative to rougher "colder than"" expressions. It works in church, the kitchen, or just about anywhere. ★

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.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it mean literally cornbread?

No - it’s a comparison for weather, temperature, or someone’s cold attitude.

Is it old or new?

Old - found in country talk and dialect collections, not a modern invention.

Which version is more common?

Both "cold as cornbread" and "cold as yesterday’s cornbread" are used. The longer form is more colorful.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 9). Cold as Cornbread. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/cold-as-cornbread
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cold as Cornbread." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/cold-as-cornbread.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Cold as Cornbread." HillbillySlang.com. September 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/cold-as-cornbread.

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