Dictionary

rafter snapper en · NOUN

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (Maine, US, idiomatic, rare, uncountable, usually) A very cold night.
   • When the rafter-snapper roared through here in March, there wasn't so much as a wet basement. 2001 April 18, Ben Goodridge, “Earth Year”, in alt.horror.werewolves (Usenet):
   • "'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." 2018, Rick Hautala, Winter Wake:
   • 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. 2015, Tim Sample, Answers to Questions Nobody Was Askin' And Other Revelations, page 65:
   • Last night was a 'rafter snapper', as my grandparents would say. And yes, the rafters were snapping in the cold. 2023, BracedRhombus, Reddit:

Forms

Relateds

three-dog night