Locofoco

[ loh-koh-foh-koh ]

/ ˌloʊ koʊˈfoʊ koʊ /

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See synonyms for Locofoco on Thesaurus.com

noun

(sometimes lowercase) a member of the radical faction of the New York City Democrats, organized in 1835 to oppose the conservative members of the party.

(lowercase) a friction match or cigar developed in the 19th century, ignited by rubbing against any hard, dry surface.

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Origin of Locofoco

Special use oflocofoco (cigar), self-lighting, rhyming compound apparently based on loco(motive), taken to mean self-moving; -foco, alteration of Italian fuoco fire <Latin focus fireplace

Words nearby Locofoco

Lockwood home, Lockyer, loco, loco citato, loco disease, Locofoco, Locofocoism, locoism, locoman, locomobile, locomote

How to use Locofoco in a sentence

You would find a Locofoco majority as much addicted to Class Legislation as a factitious aristocracy.
Coningsby|Benjamin Disraeli
The driver was a stubborn Locofoco, and Benson did not disdain to enter into an elaborate argument with him.
The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851|Various
A Locofoco is the only intelligible term: a fellow that would set any place on fire to roast his own eggs.
Gryll Grange|Thomas Love Peacock
Four or five years afterward their enemies invented for their benefit the meaningless and hideous word "Locofoco."
The Life Of Abraham Lincoln|Ward H. Lamon

But now, should you go thither to seek him, you would inquire in vain for the Locofoco Surveyor.
The Scarlet Letter|Nathaniel Hawthorne