locofoco en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *stel-der. Proto-Italic *stlokos? Old Latin stlocus Latin locus Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂-der.? Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ-der.? Latin focus English locofoco From Latin locus (“place; cause”) and focus (“hearth; fire”), although possibly prompted by misunderstanding the prefix of locomotive (itself from locus) as instead meaning something like self- or auto-. In reference to the NY political faction, derived from the use of locofoco matches to light candles and continue a meeting the rival Tammany Hall faction had attempted to end by killing the meeting place's gaslights. Often folk etymologized to derive from Spanish loco (“crazy”).
Meanings
-
(abbreviation, alt-of, archaic) Short for locofoco match, a strike-anywhere phosphorus match.
alt of locofoco match
- (US, historical) A member of the Locofoco faction of the New York Democratic Party in the 1830s and 1840s.
- (US, archaic, derogatory, usually) Synonym of Democrat, any member of the US Democratic Party.
- (US) Anyone considered to subscribe to Locofocoism, the general political platform or philosophy of the Locofoco faction.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loco-Foco | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Locofoco | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Loco-foco | alternative | lexicographic | |
| locofocos | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| loco-foco | alternative | lexicographic | |
| loco | alternative | lexicographic |