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: ... 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.

What is a barn burner party?

The Barnburners and Hunkers were the names of two opposing factions of the New York state Democratic Party in the mid-19th century. The main issue dividing the two factions was that of slavery, with the Barnburners being the anti-slavery faction.

What is a barn burner in hockey?

“Barn Burn·er” CANADIAN | informal. / noun: barn burner; plural noun: barn burners. An event, typically a hockey game that is very exciting or intense all the way to the end. When one team really out-competes another in a hockey game; a dominating performance with one team highly outscoring the other.