Apedia

Crapehanger Krayp Hang Guhr Noun Gloomy Person Pessimist Hung Black

Front crapehanger \KRAYP-hang-guhr\
Back noun
A gloomy person; a pessimist.

[A crapehanger was one who hung up black bands of crape as a symbol of mourning. The word is from English crepe/crape, from French crepe, from Latin crispus (curled or wrinkled). Earliest documented use: 1921.]

"'I don't mean to sound like a crapehanger, because I am an optimist by nature,' said Thomas Emmel." - William Mullen; Scientists Try for Butterfly Breakthrough; Chicago Tribune; Sep 3, 2002.

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