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Posted on 07/30/2026 9:04:28 AM PDT by Red Badger
From politics to 'a very exciting event' As March Madness heats up we are more than likely going to encounter a peculiar word that is much beloved by sports writers and political pundits alike: barn burner.
barn burner The 'Barnburners' were one of two competing factions in the New York State Democratic Party in the middle of the 19th century. The name was “in allusion to the story of an old Dutchman who relieved himself of rats by burning his barns which they infested.”
In the modern parlance a barn burner is defined as "a very exciting game, event, etc." The earliest citation in our files for this use is from 1934:
A real “barn-burner” was the following hand, which provided plenty of excitement at the evening session. —Omaha World-Herald, 13 May, 1934
It should be noted that the barn burner here is a game of bridge, which perhaps gives fodder to those of us who think that the 1930s were a simpler time, and that our ancestors found certain things more exciting than we do today. Today barn burner is often used to describe a sporting event or some other contest, such as a political race, which occasions a good deal of excitement.
But before this 20th century use, barn burner had a very specific meaning in US politics. The Barnburners were one of two competing factions in the New York State Democratic Party in the middle of the 19th century. John Russell Bartlett, in his 1848 Dictionary of Americanisms, provided a lengthy quote from the New York Tribune, which explained that the name was “in allusion to the story of an old Dutchman who relieved himself of rats by burning his barns which they infested.” In this case, the Barnburners were so determined to get rid of systemic abuses that they were willing to destroy the system itself.
The Barnburners were the more radical of the two political groups; the more conservative party was referred to as the Hunkers (possibly on the grounds that they were interested in a hunk of the political spoils, or because they hankered after elective office).
The Governor’s favorites for Speaker, Printers, Bank Directors, all have been floored by the “Barn Burners,” as the Radicals are yclept in our State. —New York Tribune, 20 January 1842
It has long been thought that the New York Barnburners were the originators of that term (aside from the occasional person who literally burned down a barn), but recent findings have indicated that the term began its life describing radicals in a neighboring state, Pennsylvania, slightly earlier.
We do not know to what particular class the new epithet of “Barn burners” is intended to be applied, but it strikes us as highly characteristic of those who trample upon the rights of citizens and the laws of the land. —Public Ledger [Philadelphia, PA], 17 April 1840
It matters little where exactly the word began being used. What is germane is that we have a word which began its life as a term for a radical faction of politicians and then segued to being a descriptor of some exciting event. Go team.
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But before this 20th century use, barn burner had a very specific meaning in US politics. The Barnburners were one of two competing factions in the New York State Democratic Party in the middle of the 19th century. John Russell Bartlett, in his 1848 Dictionary of Americanisms, provided a lengthy quote from the New York Tribune, which explained that the name was “in allusion to the story of an old Dutchman who relieved himself of rats by burning his barns which they infested.” In this case, the Barnburners were so determined to get rid of systemic abuses that they were willing to destroy the system itself.
the point of the article. what is the application?
Barn burner, like gangbusters, a colloquialism of those times.
“Going like ‘Gang Busters’” (1936-1957) derived from a popular, noisy police radio play of the day.
Dramatic flames, noisy animals, people trying to release trapped animals, escaping animals, lots of people running about hollering, screaming and crying. A high emotion event.
Wow! Now, “yclept” is a word you don’t read every day. Curious that the phrase “barn burner” originated in Pennsylvania. It’s difficult to believe anyone that anyone would waste all of the wood from his barn due to a rat problem. Certainly, the Scottish would never do that.
“A long hot summer, seems to know every time your near”
“ I like the idea of burning rats. So that’s good”
Here’s a solution for rats, lizard or bugs in a barn. Close the barn, (turn off all power to the barn) back the anhydrous ammonia tank up to the barn and insert the hose. Open it up and fill the barn. Let the barn fill ( needs to be a windless day). This will get rid of every critter in the barn. Best to let it air out before entering. No need to burn the barn….😂😀
I had to look it up. I thought it was a typo!................
I had to look it up. I thought it was a typo!................
Today it’s used by sportscasters as an exclamation for a really great game of whatever stripe. Like a football game going into overtime a or a baseball game of 17 innings. Or a WNBA basketball game where white girl doesn’t get punched......................
I think your Word of the Day is eclipsed by “yclept.”
From your post: “as the Radicals are yclept in our State. —New York Tribune, 20 January 1842”?
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/yclept
yclept
to say, speak, utter; to call, shout; to name; to address; to appeal to, beg, pray; to ask, request; to appear; to send for, summon; to convene; to call forth, induce; to lay claim
yclept......I can’t even pronounce it!...............
In the movie A Long Hot Summer, Ben Quick played by Paul Newman is accused of being a barn burner. That’s where the phrase comes from. Next question.
Why is New York called the Empire state? Answer: Because they’ve won so many world series because the Umpires gave them all the close calls. Next question.
Why do they call it Guerrilla warfare?
Answer:Because they fight like gorilla’s where they’ll attack hard and fast, then run away. Next question, cause I am on a roll here.
Hopefully it was insured against fire?
This was in the 1964 era and he no longer farmed........
Aren’t the Amish famous for their one day barn-burner events put on by the whole community?
Yes, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses build a Meeting Hall in one day as well................
Barnstorming?
An old barn full of manure and straw burns up spectacularly.
I”m wondering about the word “bloviate”. I have two dictionaries handy at all times and could not find it. Next step is online dictionaries. It’s a very descriptive word!
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