Meaning of Jewish lightning | Babel Free

Definitions

The supposed cause of a fire that is deliberately started to collect insurance money, without leaving evidence of arson.

offensive, uncountable

Examples

“According to Manchu the fire had forced all the families upstairs to get out, the fire department had closed down the bar for repairs. Manchu said the bar wasn't bad off but the Jew collected all he could for fire and water damage ¶ "You mean it wasn't no Jewish lightning."”

“I can refute any charges that it was a case of 'Jewish lightning', but I admit that the fire did happen at the most opportune moment!”

“The torching of overinsured buildings was so common that arson became known as "Jewish lightning." Forty-four percent of the arson cases reported by the New York Times in the 1890s were linked to Jews.”

“The insurance companies, many of which were Jewish, referred to "Jewish lightning" when unfortunate fires burned down warehouses in the East End.”

“The fire was a mysterious and tragic event upon which Mom is unwilling to elaborate. Was it a case of spontaneous combustion, perhaps due to poor wiring or improper storage of bulk dry goods? Or was it a case of "Jewish lightning" (a suspicious fire caused in order to collect the insurance money)? This is another family mystery left unsolved with all the individuals involved long gone.”

“Why not burn down the place and take the insurance? A little Jewish lightning never hurt anyone.”

CEFR level