cold joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cold joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is not well-received, often because it is inappropriate or lacks humor. Example: "His attempt at humor fell flat; it was just a cold joke that made everyone uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even the brothers' customary declarations about their bond went weird – Ed pointing towards David's end of the table to make a point about the "only candidate I love", to be answered by David making a cold joke about why his brother suddenly fancied Diane Abbott.

The Guardian

"It's also the cold joke that goes unchallenged; it's the offhand comment about not wanting 'those people' in the neighborhood.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some of the most indelible images in "Humanity" are of the "cold jokes" that brutes all over the world have used to strip their victims of dignity and make cruelty come easier.

The New York Times - Books

"It could be colder," jokes one.

BBC

Butch Cassidy hobbled by a stroke is a cold-hearted joke for a movie to use, and "Money" isn't sure what to do with the discomfort it elicits.

The New York Times

"I don't know why there have been so few, perhaps black people don't like the cold," he jokes.

BBC

Waiting in long, long lines, and in numbing cold, we joked and smiled and made endless chit chat.

Huffington Post

Twitter – a rolling feed of other people's opinions and counter-opinions and outrage and inrage and cold, lonely jokes about Taco Bell.

Vice

Tran had no idea what was coming when she read the joke cold off, a source close to Tran told TMZ.

Los Angeles Times

"I'm Indian; it's too cold," Mr. Khanna joked.

The New York Times

We headed to the busy station so she could observe me telling jokes "cold", without any prior guidance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cold joke", consider the context. It implies the joke was not just unfunny, but possibly inappropriate or delivered without warmth. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "cold joke" simply as a synonym for "bad joke". "Cold joke" suggests a lack of empathy or warmth, implying the joke might be insensitive or poorly timed, not just poorly written.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "cold" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "joke". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, indicating its established usage in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cold joke" describes a joke that fails to elicit laughter, often because it is insensitive, inappropriate, or simply poorly delivered. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various reputable sources, particularly in news and media. When using "cold joke", be mindful of its implications of insensitivity or lack of warmth. Alternative phrases, like "unfunny joke" or "tasteless joke", may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad joke

A simple and direct way to express that the joke was not good.

unfunny joke

Replaces the adjective 'cold' with a more direct synonym indicating a lack of humor.

tasteless joke

Shifts the focus to the potentially offensive or inappropriate nature of the joke.

insensitive joke

Highlights the lack of consideration for others' feelings in the joke.

poorly received joke

Emphasizes the negative audience reaction to the joke.

flat joke

Describes a joke that lacks impact or is delivered without enthusiasm.

failed joke

Highlights the ineffectiveness of the joke in achieving its intended purpose.

uninspired joke

Suggests the joke lacks creativity or originality.

humorless jest

A more formal and negative way of saying a joke lacks humor.

awkward joke

Focuses on the uncomfortable or embarrassing nature of the joke.

FAQs

What does "cold joke" mean?

A "cold joke" refers to a joke that is not well-received, often because it's perceived as insensitive, inappropriate, or simply lacking in humor. It suggests a lack of warmth or empathy in the delivery or content.

What can I say instead of "cold joke"?

Alternatives to "cold joke" include "unfunny joke", "tasteless joke", "poorly received joke", or "bad joke", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cold joke" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cold joke" is grammatically correct. It's a compound adjective-noun phrase that functions as a single unit.

How do I use "cold joke" in a sentence?

You can use "cold joke" to describe a joke that was not funny or was inappropriate. For example: "His attempt at humor fell flat; it was just a cold joke that made everyone uncomfortable."