barnstorm, v.
(ˈbɑːnstɔːm)
[f. barn n. + storm v. 7.]
intr.
1. Theatr. To tour (rural districts), giving theatrical performances of a popular kind (formerly often in barns).
| 1883 Mercury (N.Y.) in Ware Passing Eng. (1909) 20/1 Miss Helen Bancroft, who recently played in this city, was announced as with a barn-storming company. 1883 Sporting Life 29 Apr. 5/3 Footlight Flickerings. Owen Fawcett will go barn-storming through Michigan this summer. 1884 [see barn n. 2]. 1936 Auden & Isherwood Ascent of F6 ii. 79, I have dreamed of a threadbare barnstorming actor, and he was a national symbol. 1949 Here & Now (N.Z.) Oct. 30/1 The National Orchestra..has this year been barnstorming with opera, and latterly with concert programmes, taking in provincial centres. |
2. To make a rapid tour holding meetings for propaganda or election purposes. U.S.
| 1896 Congress. Rec. 7 Apr. 3661/1 [He] was barnstorming down in Georgia in favor of a gold monometallism. 1944 Chicago Daily News 27 Oct. 16/2 President Roosevelt indignantly denies that his New York and Chicago barn⁓storming trips violate his pledge not to campaign in the usual sense. 1947 Time 10 Mar. 21/1 Barnstorming Presidential Candidate Harold Stassen whirled through Belgium in one day. |
3. Aeronaut. To give informal exhibition and sightseeing flights; to perform stunts at local functions. Chiefly N. Amer.
| 1928 L. Gravatt Pioneers of Air 210 He gave exhibitions at county fairs, or barnstormed as the pilots say. 1933 B. Willoughby Alaskans All 90, I had an old army plane, and as a gypsy flyer I barnstormed thirty-seven states. 1936 Christian Sci. Monitor 20 Aug. 3/4 Barnstorm, to fly about from town to town taking passengers up for a small sum. 1936 F. Clune Roaming round Darling xiii. 116 They were flying from town to town, barnstorming as they called it. 1938 Times 19 July 14/5 Mr. Steve Reich, who had barn⁓stormed with him in 1931, was as surprised as everybody else to hear he had flown to Ireland. |