barnstorm
verb

- to travel to different places to give speeches, perform shows, etc.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

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ORIGIN

The term “barnstorming” first appeared in the early 19th century and applied to theatrical troupes that toured in rural areas, often mounting their shows in rented barns. Such tours were commonly conducted in the summer, and often featured actors who would be engaged in established urban theaters during the rest of the year.

The verb “storm” in “barnstorming” means to act like a storm, either literally (rain, wind, etc.) or figuratively (to rage, menace, or attack). This figurative use led to the military sense, meaning “to attack and attempt to take a fortified position”, as well as more generally meaning “to capture or take over” as in:

“A hundred swords Will storm his heart, Love’s feverous citadel”

John Keats, 1820

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STORMY PHRASES

The figurative use of this word as in ‘cooking up a storm’, is American from as long ago as the 19th century. Besides its weather connotation, a storm can be any form of commotion, unrest or outburst and has enjoyed such figurative meanings since the early 1500s. Shakespeare coined the expression ‘storm brewing’ in The Tempest, Act 1, Scene I, "and another storm brewing, I can it sing i’ the wind.”

Before Shakespeare first brewed up a storm, everyone else was brewing beer, tea, and coffee. Storm as in a storm of abuse is from the late 1500s, and storm, as in "to take by storm" i.e. a violent attack on a fortified place, dates from the mid-1600s. The figurative usage 'taking the world by storm’ dates from the late 19th century.

'Tempest in a teapot' (US) and 'storm in a teacup' (UK), meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion is evidenced from the early 19th century.

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SYNONYMS

- full of angry or violent outbursts of feeling
- prone to getting on the defensive

agitated, angry, blustering, fearful, frenzied, furious, hardhanded, harsh, howling, intemperate, menacing, punishing, raging, roaring, rough, rough-and-tumble, ruffled, savage, severe, sharp, stirred up, stridulent, tempestuous, threatening, thunderous, tumultuous, turbulent, unsettled, vehement, violent, volatile, wild, whithering, wuthering

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“He spent the months leading up to the election BARNSTORMING around the country.“

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