barnburner

American  

[bahrn-bur-ner] / ˈbɑrnˌbɜr nər /

noun

1. Informal. something that is highly exciting, impressive, etc..

   The All Stars game was a real barnburner.

2. Chiefly Pennsylvania. a wooden friction match.

3. (initial capital letter) a member of the progressive faction in the Democratic Party in New York State 1845–52.

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Usage

What does barnburner mean? A barnburner is something that is especially exciting, thrilling, or impressive. It’s most commonly applied to sports games. Barnburner is a sports cliché. It’s especially used to refer to matchups that are consistently exciting throughout the entire game and then go down to wire, which is another sports cliché that means that they’re not decided until the very end of the game. Example: Did you catch that triple-overtime game last night? What a barnburner!

Etymology

Origin of barnburner

1835–45, barn ¹ + burner; barnburner ( def. 3 ) so called with reference to burning down a barn to get rid of rats

Explanation

A barnburner is an exceptionally thrilling and exciting event. For instance, one might say, "The final match of the tournament was a real barnburner, with the audience on the edge of their seats the whole game!" The word barnburner originated in the mid-19th century, referring to a radical political group known for its dramatic methods in pushing for reforms. It was said, humorously, that the Barnburners were willing to burn down the barn to smoke out a few rats. Over time, the term came to describe any event that generates a lot of excitement. Whether it's a thrilling sports game, a heated debate, or a high-energy concert, a barnburner is something that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Example Sentences

Was nominated for the Presidency by a Barnburner convention at Utica, N.Y.,

From A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Volume 3, part 2: Martin Van Buren by Richardson, James D. (James Daniel)

The Free Soil movement in N.Y. began at the Democratic State convention held here in 1847, when the split occurred between the "Barnburner" and "Hunker", factions of the Democratic party.

From The Greatest Highway in the World Historical, Industrial and Descriptive Information of the Towns, Cities and Country Passed Through Between New York and Chicago Via the New York Central Lines. Based on the Encyclopaedia Britannica. by New York Central Railroad Company

The Free Soil or Barnburner party was organized in '48, and nominated Martin Van Buren for President.

From Half a Century by Swisshelm, Jane Grey Cannon

In that campaign issue of the Barnburner were sown the seeds of what became, in later nomenclature, the Free Democracy, and, later still, the 'Republican' party of Missouri.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 4, April, 1862 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

Samuel J. Tilden and Benjamin F. Butler were two of the leading "Barnburner" leaders.

From A History of the Republican Party by Platt, George Washington