Cold feet

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For the television series, see Cold Feet.

Cold feet is a pending feeling of apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action. In weddings, having "cold feet" is used as catch phrase to describe a premonition, state of ambivalence, or uncertainty in regards to a pending wedding. In realty, the term signifies apprehension as to a pending home purchase. The term generally dates back to 1893.^[1] Having cold feet is a common alibi used by runaway brides. Cold feet can often be the result of nervousness or anxiety.

1 Origins
2 Overview
3 Weddings
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Origins

It has been reported that 'Cold feet' originates from the Italian piedi freddi, where to have cold feet would mean to be penniless and rather financially stuck. This is not a widespread expression, though, and it is only anedoctally reported as a common saying in the town of Asti (Piedmont).

[edit] Overview

The term cold feet refers to a mental state by and through which someone, as a real estate buyer, groom, or bride, can't bring his or herself to say 'yes'. Surprisingly, more men are afflicted by it than women, at least when it comes to homebuying. Women do not seem to suffer of the same ailment, at least not nearly as disproportionately as men, e.g. realtors know, from experience, that female real estate purchasers are more predisposed towards saying 'yes', whereas men are a harder sell.^[2] Men, come time to make the final decision, may suddenly become fearful of completing the transaction. For both weddings and major purchases, he or she may be pervaded by all sorts of doubts about what they are purchasing, their financial future, or their chosen partner, etc. Having cold feet, generally, signifies a state of ambivalence leaning towards "no".

[edit] Weddings

Before weddings, it’s not at all unusual for couples to experience doubts about marriage and commitment even, and especially when, they have announced their engagement or set a date.

When couples first become involved, they tend to focus on the things they have in common, i.e. similarities, and even differences can seem exciting. As intimate relationships progress, differences come more to the fore and lead to conflict and even feelings of alienation. This is normal, but many people are confused by this dynamic and it is a big source of tension. In many cases, however, this feeling transitions into fear, which is typically a "cold" feeling - hence the term "cold feet".