Locofoco

[ loh-koh-foh-koh ]

/ ˌloʊ koʊˈfoʊ koʊ /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Locofoco

Special use of locofoco (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