英和和英

語源

From barn +‎ burner. In exaggerated use, from the hyperbolic idea of someone burning down a barn to end a rat infestation.(Can this etymology be sourced?)

発音

名詞

barnburner (plural barnburners)

1. One who burns down a barn.
2. (slang, chiefly Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland) Synonym of phosphorus match, a friction match that can be struck anywhere.
3. (Midland US, idiomatic) A sensationally exciting or successful event or person.
   • 2007 January 26, The New York Times, “Classical Music/Opera Listings”, in New York Times‎:

     Those deathless twin barnburners return to the Metropolitan Opera tonight.

   • 2023 October 7, Edward Luce, “The unending Republican revolution”, in FT Weekend, London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 6:

     It is hard to know what could convince the barnburners to change their ways. The Maga base rewards them with money and the media lavishes them with airtime.

関連する語

• barnstormer

参考

• (exciting event): cliffhanger