CRAPEHANGER Meaning and
Definition
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A crapehanger is a colloquial term that typically refers to an individual who tends to have a pessimistic outlook on life, constantly dwelling on negative situations and anticipating the worst possible outcomes. The term is derived from the words "crape" and "hanger," with "crape" referring to a thin fabric made from silk, wool, or cotton, usually used to make mourning clothes, and "hanger" referring to an object used to support or hang things. Therefore, a crapehanger metaphorically describes someone who figuratively hangs or drapes themselves in mourning or sadness.
The term first emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century, primarily in American English, to describe individuals who were overly inclined towards lamentation, lamenting trivial misfortunes and unnecessarily emphasizing the negative aspects of life. A crapehanger is often seen as a perpetual party pooper, dampening the spirits or enthusiasm of others due to their excessive focus on negative aspects. This term can also be applied to individuals who are excessively morose or gloomy, lacking optimism, and finding it difficult to see the brighter side of life.
While the term crapehanger has lost popularity in modern usage, it is occasionally employed to describe individuals who exhibit a consistently negative attitude or those who constantly expect the worst outcomes in any given situation.
Common Misspellings for CRAPEHANGER
- xrapehanger
- vrapehanger
- frapehanger
- drapehanger
- ceapehanger
- cdapehanger
- cfapehanger
- ctapehanger
- c5apehanger
- c4apehanger
- crzpehanger
- crspehanger
- crwpehanger
- crqpehanger
- craoehanger
- cralehanger
- cra0ehanger
- crapwhanger
- crapshanger
- crapdhanger
Etymology of CRAPEHANGER
The word "crapehanger" is derived from the combination of two words: "crape" and "hanger".
1. Crape: Crape is a type of black fabric made from silk or wool and used for mourning clothes. It comes from the Old North French word "crape" meaning "a kind of cloth". This term was later borrowed into English in the late 17th century.
2. Hanger: In this context, "hanger" refers to a person who hangs or displays something. This usage of "hanger" dates back to the late 16th century and derives from the word "hang" (Old English: "hōn").
The term "crapehanger" originated in 19th-century America and was primarily used in the Southern and Midwestern states. Originally, it described someone who was excessively mournful, gloomy, or constantly dwelling on misfortune.
