rafter snapper

English

Etymology

Originates from the state of Maine, in which the planks and woodbeams of a residential dwelling produce "snapping" sounds during very cold nights.

Noun

rafter snapper

1. (US, Maine, rare) A very cold night.
   • 2001 April 18, Ben Goodridge, “Earth Year”, in alt.horror.werewolves‎^[1] (Usenet):

     When the rafter-snapper roared through here in March, there wasn't so much as a wet basement.

   • 2015, Tim Sample, Answers to Questions Nobody Was Askin' And Other Revelations, page 65:

     When I was a kid the old timers called long, sub-zero nights "rafter snappers," a phrase I never understood until I moved inland to a little cabin surrounded by acres of tall trees.

   • 2018, Rick Hautala, Winter Wake:

     "'S what the old-timers call a real 'rafter snapper'", Frank said. He was sitting in his wheelchair by the kitchen table, making conversation with Bri while she worked. "Jus' listen to that wind."

See also

• three-dog night