What is the origin of the phrase, "colder than a witch's tit?"

The simple explanation is that "colder than a witch's tit" is just a vivid metaphor, like "hotter than the hinges of hell." Since a witch is in league with Satan, presumably she has no maternal feelings. Thus the medium by which she would suckle a child is, well, cold as a witch's tit.

But there's some history behind this wisecrack. A witch's tit (or witch's teat, to use the older spelling) supposedly left a marking that witch hunters and courts would look for on the body of an accused person. Supposedly, witches would suckle their familiars, and sometimes the Devil himself, from this "unholy" body part. To find these marks, as well as insensitive spots on the skin called devil's marks--caused by the Devil's claws or teeth--the suspects were stripped, shaven, then closely examined for any blemishes, moles, or even scars that could be labeled as diabolical. To find marks invisible to the eye, the examiner would poke the victim inch by inch with a blunt needle (called a bodkin) until they found a spot that didn't feel pain or bled. Discovery of these marks or spots--one supposes they would be considered cold since they were a sign of communion with the Devil--would be "proof" of the person's dealings with Scratch, so they would be shown in full court before the execution.

From:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/12/messages/583.html

Variation: Colder than a witch's tit in a tin bra

Witch's were once imagined as old hags with wrinkly skin and icy blood. So the phrase "colder than a witch's tits" was used during very cold weather. When someone who still thinks this way came into a warm house or room, often, the phrase would come to mind.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=colder+than+a+witch's+tits

Other similar phrases are:

Colder than a witch's tit on the shady side of the moon.

Colder than a whore's tit.

I'm so cold I could cut diamonds with my nipples.

colder than a dead eskimo

Colder than a penguins chuff

colder than a whore's heart

Colder than a dead beaver's dick!

Colder than a woman's heart.

It's cold enough to freeze the nuts off a brass monkey.

It's so cold, the snowman came in to warm up.

Having a blue norther. (ed: very windy cold snap)

I gave that title to my X wifes love making...

what do you mean Phrase ??? its a FACT !!
I should know ..I used to be married to a witch..
BBBRRRRRR !! thats a couple of cold tits

From Wordsmith:


The simple explanation is that "colder than a witch's tit" is just a vivid metaphor, like "hotter than the hinges of hell." Since a
witch is in league with Satan, presumably she has no maternal feelings. Thus the medium by which she would suckle a child is,
well, cold as a witch's tit.

But there's some history behind this wisecrack. A witch's tit (or witch's teat, to use the older spelling) supposedly left a marking
that witch hunters and courts would look for on the body of an accused person. Supposedly, witches would suckle their
familiars, and sometimes the Devil himself, from this "unholy" body part. To find these marks, as well as insensitive spots on the
skin called devil's marks--caused by the Devil's claws or teeth--the suspects were stripped, shaven, then closely examined for
any blemishes, moles, or even scars that could be labeled as diabolical. To find marks invisible to the eye, the examiner would
poke the victim inch by inch with a blunt needle (called a bodkin) until they found a spot that didn't feel pain or bled. Discovery
of these marks or spots--one supposes they would be considered cold since they were a sign of communion with the
Devil--would be "proof" of the person's dealings with Scratch, so they would be shown in full court before the execution.

I believe as some have told me through someone else down the way that told them this little short story about the actual measurance of such an occasion. Now I tell you aforehand, be stern of heart lest you leave hope here, because now we have only begun to comprehend the pure significance of such an austere state of coldness that not even Kelvin himself I dare tell you even perceived such an awesome coldness that betrayed all means of understanding, to this very day indeed.

This coldness is beyond our current powers to detect and this negative Kelvin coldness now to this very day can be felt roaming the galaxy lest the universe itself, wreaking cosmic havoc in its rake. Pray such a coldness does not envelop our part of the Milky Way laughed the witch as she flew away.

You'd be mean too, if your first drink was green wrinkled and cold!
And then to name your first born son SUE?

And here I always assumed it was because Wiccans like to dance around naked in the forests... I know, I know. SOME Wiccans, not all. But still, when there's a slight dusting of snow...

i thought it was a witchs clit, no?