How Do You Spell LOCOFOCO?

Pronunciation: [lˌə͡ʊkəfˈə͡ʊkə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The word "Locofoco" is spelled as [loh-kuh-foh-koh] in IPA phonetic transcription. The origin of this word can be traced back to an American political faction in the 19th century, which consisted of progressives who were in favor of individualism and social equality. The term "Locofoco" was derived from the type of match that they used, which was originally called the "lucifer match". However, due to its pronunciation, the word was often misspelled, and eventually, the term "Locofoco" became synonymous with the group itself.

LOCOFOCO Meaning and Definition

1. Locofoco is a term used to refer to a member or supporter of the radical wing of the Democratic Party in the United States during the mid-19th century. The term originated from the "Locofoco" matches, which were a particular type of friction match used at the time. It derives from the combination of the Latin word "loco," meaning "place" or "location," and the Italian word "foco," meaning "hearth" or "fireplace," referencing the match's function.

   In a broader sense, Locofoco came to represent the more progressive and reformist faction within the Democratic Party, known for their advocacy of issues such as workers' rights, public education, and economic equality. They opposed monopolies, inefficient banks, and government corruption, calling for social and political reforms. The Locofocos were considered radical for their time and often clashed with the conservative wing of the party.

   The Locofocos' influence reached its peak during the 1830s and 1840s, collectively shaping the political landscape of the era. However, their movement eventually lost momentum and dissolved, partially due to divisions within their own ranks and the rise of other political factions. Despite their relatively short-lived prominence, the Locofocos left an indelible mark on American political history as advocates for progressive policies and champions of social justice.

Common Misspellings for LOCOFOCO

• kocofoco
• pocofoco
• oocofoco
• licofoco
• lkcofoco
• llcofoco
• lpcofoco
• l0cofoco
• l9cofoco
• loxofoco
• lovofoco
• lofofoco
• lodofoco
• locifoco
• lockfoco
• loclfoco
• locpfoco
• loc0foco
• loc9foco

Etymology of LOCOFOCO

The word "Locofoco" originated as a derogatory term to refer to members of the Equal Rights Party, an American political party formed in the 1830s. The term was coined during a heated meeting of the New York City Common Council on December 14, 1835, when some council members, who were proponents of the Equal Rights Party, attempted to adjourn the session to prevent a vote on a charter amendment. Other council members, who disagreed with this tactic, sought to keep the gaslights on to continue the session and were determined to prevent the gaslights from being turned off.

During the subsequent struggle to control the gaslights, the pro-adjournment council members used a newly introduced friction match (also known as a "locofoco match") to turn off the gaslights.

Plural form of LOCOFOCO is LOCOFOCOS