Locofoco

[ loh-koh-foh-koh ]
/ ˌloʊ koʊˈfoʊ koʊ /

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.

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

Example sentences from the Web for locofoco

  • But now, should you go thither to seek him, you would inquire in vain for the Locofoco Surveyor.

    The Scarlet Letter |Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • You would find a Locofoco majority as much addicted to Class Legislation as a factitious aristocracy.

    Coningsby |Benjamin Disraeli
  • Four or five years afterward their enemies invented for their benefit the meaningless and hideous word "Locofoco."

  • 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