It's cold enough for a walking stick

[Mesmer]

Does anyone know the origin of this saying?

[Quizmonster]

It's from the same stable as "It's cold enough for two pairs of shoelaces." In other words, just a surreal connection - made for humorous effect - between two utterly disconnected concepts.
It's the kind of thing The Goon Show and Monty Python were famous for..."It's those noisy people in the tent upstairs, Min!"
I doubt whether you'll ever find where exactly it originated.

[DaSwede]

Might it not have something to with arthritis...? (Worsened by cold weather.) Just a thought. I like the Pythonish theory better...

[DaSwede]

Does Ed (or someone) eat small words...? Meant to write 'to do with' - I've never made so many typos anywhere as I do on the AB...

[Mesmer]

Thanks Quizmonster and DaSwede for your answers both plausible and food for thought.