rattletrap

[ rat-l-trap ]

/ ˈræt lˌtræp /

a shaky, rattling object, as a rickety vehicle.

Origin of rattletrap

First recorded in 1760–70; rattle¹ + trap¹

In the first place, it isn't a house—it's a rattletrap; and in the second place, he won't know a thing about it.

Affinities and Other Stories |Mary Roberts Rinehard
Once back in the cabin of the Rattletrap, we scarcely ventured out again.

The Voyage of the Rattletrap |Hayden Carruth
In the yard stood the Kettledrum rattletrap, and the owner was right glad to see it.

Cradock Nowell, Vol. 3 (of 3) |Richard Doddridge Blackmore
It was a little after noon when we drove into Deadwood--the last point outward bound at which the Rattletrap expected to touch.

The Voyage of the Rattletrap |Hayden Carruth

The next morning the condition of the tempers of the crew of the Rattletrap was reversed.

The Voyage of the Rattletrap |Hayden Carruth

rattletrap

/ (ˈrætəlˌtræp) /

informal a broken-down old vehicle, esp an old car