cold memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"cold memory" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a memory that is distant, distant or hard to access, often associated with a negative feeling. Example: The mention of her ex-husband's name brought back a cold memory of their bitter divorce.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For a single event, a fear network usually remains mostly connected to its cold memory counterpart, and some autobiographical context is maintained.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Out of that earth house I inherited A stack of singular, cold memory-weights To load me, hand and foot, in the scale of things.

The New Yorker

Leads went cold, memories faded, witnesses went missing.

The New York Times

"There are a lot of happy memories - cold memories, but mostly all happy out here.

BBC

Cold memories, for their part, are seen to be selective representations of the contextual and factual elements of the event, consciously and verbally accessible to the trauma survivor.

BMC Psychiatry

Thus, with each additional traumatic event, the fear network grows, and the hot memories become increasingly disconnected from the contextual referents of the cold memories (such as time and place).

BMC Psychiatry

But, for the life of me, I can't draw out of cold storage a memory of my son losing his first tooth.

Huffington Post

The creepy Simon Cowell lap dancing moment seems like a cold, distant memory now.

Independent

Providing mediation where necessary, and a long Cold War memory, was Paul Rogers, professor of peace studies at Bradford University.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even to a new generation, without cold war memories, the medal table is still a source of pride.

The New York Times - Sports

In the Riksdag as in the waters off Stockholm, Swedes are finding their cold war memories seem a bit less stale.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "cold memory" to describe a memory that is emotionally detached, factually recalled but lacking warmth, or associated with a sense of discomfort or negativity. Consider the emotional impact you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "cold memory" simply to indicate a memory from the past. "Distant memory" is more appropriate for memories that are simply far removed in time, while "cold memory" implies an emotional detachment or negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold memory" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cold" modifies the noun "memory". This construction characterizes the type of memory being described, indicating its emotional quality or lack thereof. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold memory" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a memory characterized by emotional detachment, negativity, or unpleasantness. While not extremely common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, indicates its valid and meaningful use. When using "cold memory", consider whether you're aiming to convey a lack of emotional warmth, a sense of unease, or a distinctly negative association with the recalled event. If you intend to simply indicate a memory from the past, "distant memory" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distant memory

This alternative conveys a sense of remoteness in time, making the memory less vivid.

faded memory

This suggests the memory has lost clarity or detail over time.

unpleasant memory

This alternative emphasizes the negative emotional association with the memory.

unhappy memory

This is a more general term for a memory that evokes sadness or discomfort.

negative memory

This is a broad term referring to any memory with a negative valence.

repressed memory

This suggests the memory is actively blocked from conscious awareness.

bitter memory

This highlights the painful and resentful feelings linked to the memory.

chilling memory

This implies the memory evokes fear or unease.

traumatic memory

This indicates the memory is associated with a deeply disturbing experience.

long-forgotten memory

This highlights the memory's state of being mostly forgotten until recalled.

FAQs

What does "cold memory" mean?

A "cold memory" refers to a memory that is emotionally distant, detached, or associated with negative feelings. It's a memory that lacks warmth or positive emotional connection.

How can I use "cold memory" in a sentence?

You might say, "The mention of her childhood home brought back a "cold memory" of her difficult upbringing", indicating a negative or emotionally detached recollection.

What are some alternatives to "cold memory"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "distant memory", "unpleasant memory", or "faded memory".

Is "cold memory" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "cold memory" isn't as frequently used as other similar phrases like "distant memory". Its use is appropriate when emphasizing the emotional detachment or negativity associated with the memory.