rafter snapper
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English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Originates from the state of Maine, in which the planks and woodbeams of a residential dwelling produce "snapping" sounds during very cold nights.
Noun
[edit]- (US, Maine, rare) A very cold night.
- 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."