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Cold Water Ordeal

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An ancient method of testing the guilt or innocence of the common sort of people. The accused, being tied under the arms, was thrown into a river. If he sank to the bottom, he was held to be guiltless, and drawn up by the cord; but if he floated, the water rejected him, because of his guilt.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Cold-Bath Fields
Cold Blood
Cold-blooded Animals
Cold-blooded Persons
Cold-chisel (A)
Cold Drawn Oil
Cold Pigeon (A)
Cold Pudding settles Love
Cold Shoulder
Cold Steel
Cold Water Ordeal
Cold Without
Coldbrand
Coldstream Guards
Cole = money
Cole (King)
Colemira
Colin Clout
Colin Tampon
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