Why was the Cold War called the Cold War when it really wasn't even a war at all?

Answer 1

the cold war was really just a nickname, because people were afraid that there would be a war, because the soviets and the USA both had nukes-and didnt like each other "cold" implys that it wasnt solid and real the cold war was threat of war

Answer 2

Like the term "war on drugs" or "war on crime", or even the "war against poverty", etc. The "cold war" was actually an "arms race" (one upmanship on the each other)...but like the "war on crime or drugs" it was a CATCHY phrase and EASY to say (pronounce).

Answer 3

Actually, that's exactly why they called the tension between The Soviet Union & The U.S. a cold war, they never actually had a hot war.

This might help a little. Here are the definitions for both words.

Hot War:

Armed, open conflict between nations or factions.

Cold War:

1. often Cold War A state of political tension and military rivalry between nations that stops short of full-scale war, especially that which existed between the United States and Soviet Union following World War II.

2. A state of rivalry and tension between two factions, groups, or individuals that stops short of open, violent confrontation.

cold warrior n.

[hot + (cold) war.]

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