crapehanger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very LowInformal, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “crapehanger” mean?
A person who habitually takes a pessimistic or gloomy view.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who habitually takes a pessimistic or gloomy view; a doomsayer.
Someone who consistently predicts negative outcomes or focuses on the worst aspects of a situation. The term often implies a persistent, joy-killing attitude.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is historically more attested in American English, though it is now archaic in both varieties. The spelling 'crepehanger' is a rare variant.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies a tiresome, habitual pessimist. It may have slightly more folksy, humorous connotations in American usage.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary British and American English. Mostly found in historical texts, old films, or used deliberately for a period effect.
Grammar
How to Use “crapehanger” in a Sentence
He is a [crapehanger].Don't listen to that [crapehanger].They called him a [crapehanger].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crapehanger” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. The verb form is 'to hang crepe' and is exceedingly rare.
American English
- N/A. The verb form is 'to hang crepe' and is exceedingly rare.
adverb
British English
- N/A.
American English
- N/A.
adjective
British English
- He had a crapehanging outlook on the new regulations. (rare/non-standard)
American English
- Her crapehanging predictions about the economy were famous. (rare/non-standard)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Would not be used in formal business contexts. Informally, might describe a colleague who constantly forecasts project failure.
Academic
Virtually never used. A term like 'catastrophist' or 'alarmist' would be preferred.
Everyday
Extremely rare in modern everyday speech. If used, it would be for humorous or ironic effect.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crapehanger”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crapehanger”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crapehanger”
- Spelling it as 'craphanger' (vulgar and incorrect).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He crapehanged the meeting').
- Applying it to a temporary state of sadness rather than a habitual character trait.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from the early 20th-century American practice of hanging black crepe (a crimped silk or rayon fabric) on the door of a house where a death had occurred, as a sign of mourning. A 'crapehanger' was someone metaphorically always in mourning, always expecting bad news.
It is informal and critical, but not profane. It suggests the person is tiresome or excessively negative, but it often carries a humorous or dated tone that softens the insult.
You can, but it will sound deliberately archaic or stylized. In most contemporary contexts, words like 'pessimist', 'doomsayer', or 'Debbie Downer' (US informal) are more natural.
A 'crapehanger' is defined by a habitual, often irrational, focus on the negative. A 'realist' aims to assess situations objectively, acknowledging both positive and negative factors. The crapehanger's outlook is prejudiced toward gloom.
A person who habitually takes a pessimistic or gloomy view.
Crapehanger is usually informal, archaic in register.
Crapehanger: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪpˌhæŋə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪpˌhæŋər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hang crepe (verb phrase - to express gloomy predictions)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone hanging black funeral **crepe** (a fabric) on a door every morning, symbolising their habit of anticipating death and disaster.
Conceptual Metaphor
GLOOM IS A FUNERAL DECORATION (The pessimist 'hangs' metaphorical black crepe on every situation).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best definition of 'crapehanger'?