cold duck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialized/Informal)Informal, mainly North American. Occasionally found in historical or culinary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cold duck” mean?
A cocktail or mixed drink typically made from sparkling wine and citrus-flavored soda, sometimes with additional spirits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cocktail or mixed drink typically made from sparkling wine and citrus-flavored soda, sometimes with additional spirits; historically also referred to a specific type of inexpensive sparkling wine blend.
Informal term for something that is finished, unsuccessful, or has lost its momentum (e.g., 'that project is cold duck'). Can also refer humorously to leftover or unappealing food and drink.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is far more recognized in American English, particularly in the Midwest, as a drink name. In British English, it is largely unknown; the concept would be described rather than named.
Connotations
US: Nostalgic, regional, somewhat kitschy or retro. UK: Unfamiliar; if encountered, likely perceived as an Americanism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both variants, but higher recognition in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “cold duck” in a Sentence
[Drink/Serve] + cold duckcold duck + [is/was] + [adjective][Noun Phrase] + is + cold duck (metaphor)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cold duck” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- I read about an American drink called cold duck in a magazine.
American English
- For our New Year's toast, we're having cold duck instead of proper champagne.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or cultural studies of American food/drink.
Everyday
Recognized by some older generations in the US when referring to the drink.
Technical
In bartending/culinary archives as a specific mixed drink recipe.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cold duck”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cold duck”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cold duck”
- Using it as a direct translation for any cold poultry dish. Capitalizing it as a proper noun unnecessarily.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has nothing to do with poultry. It is the name of a drink.
Unlikely. The bartender probably won't know the term. You would need to describe the drink.
The origin is unclear. One theory is it comes from the German 'kalte Ende' (cold end), referring to mixing ends of wine bottles.
Rarely and informally, to mean something is completely finished or has failed ('After the funding was cut, the venture went cold duck').
A cocktail or mixed drink typically made from sparkling wine and citrus-flavored soda, sometimes with additional spirits.
Cold duck is usually informal, mainly north american. occasionally found in historical or culinary contexts. in register.
Cold duck: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊld ˈdʌk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊld ˈdʌk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gone cold duck (informal, rare): finished, defunct.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a duck that doesn't like water, so it drinks a cold, bubbly wine instead.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE END/FAILURE IS A COLD DUCK (rare).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'cold duck' primarily?