barnburner

noun3

1. •
   One who burns down a barn.
2. •
   A sensationally exciting or successful event or person.

   • Those deathless twin barnburners return to the Metropolitan Opera tonight. — 2007
3. •
   (slang) Synonym of phosphorus match, a friction match that can be struck anywhere.

noun1

1. •
   (US, slang) A member of the radical section of the Democratic party in New York, around the middle of the 19th century, which was hostile to extension of slavery, public debts, corporate privileges, etc., and supported Van Buren against Cass for president in 1848.