ˈthunder and ˈlightning
1. For the literal use see thunder n. 1.
2. fig. Denunciation, invective: cf. thunder n. 3, v. 3.
| 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. Ep. Ded. 4 They speak nothing but thunder and lightning to us. 1883 J. Parker Tyne Ch. 295 They assail with thunder and lightning the credulity..of official guides. |
3. transf. † a. Applied to a cloth, app. of glaring colours, worn in 18th c., and perhaps later. b. attrib. (19th c.) Applied to articles of apparel of a ‘loud’ or ‘flashy’ style, or combining two strongly contrasted colours.
(Cf. 1815 Nemnich Britische Waaren Encycl. s.v. Thunder and Lightning ..ein Borat oder wollenes Zeug von grellem Ansehen. 1891 Flügel Eng. Germ. Dict., Thunder and Lightning, eine Art Borat oder wollenes Zeug aus Schwarz und Gelb gemischt [i.e. mixed of black and yellow] (plattdeutsch Klütjenstoff oder Wederschall [Widerschein] Nemn.))
| 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xii, He had on a coat made of that cloth they call thunder and lightning. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxxii, He wore a black velvet waistcoat with thunder-and-lightning buttons. 1839 Thackeray Fatal Boots Mar., I recollect my costume very well: a thunder-and-lightning coat, a white waistcoat.., a pair of knee-breeches. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown ii. v, A tall fellow, in thunder-and-lightning waistcoat. 1868 Yates Rock Ahead i. i, Gorgeous in..thunder-and-lightning neckties. |
4. slang and dial. (See quots.)
| 1802 Sporting Mag. XX. 224 Thunder and lightning (i.e. gin and bitters). 1880 M. E. Braddon in World 3 Mar. 13 Treacle and clotted cream, alias thunder and lightning. 1904 Eng. Dial. Dict. s.v. Thunder, Thunder-and-lightning, (a) brandy-sauce when ignited; (b) bread spread over with cream and treacle. |
5. thunder-and-lightning snake: see thunder-snake s.v. thunder n. 6.
6. Angling. A variety of artificial fly.
| 1910 Encycl. Brit. II. 26/1 In most fly-books great variety of patterns will be discoverable, while certain old standard favourites such as the Jock Scott, Durham Ranger, Silver Doctor, and Thunder and Lightning will be prominent. 1972 Country Life 23 Mar. 697/3 Three large salmon were clearly visible... I changed to a tiny low water Thunder and Lightning. |
7. attrib. Melodramatic, startling, violent.
| 1892 ‘Mark Twain’ Amer. Claimant ix. 71 Take What's-her-name, that plays those sensational thunder-and-lightning parts. 1981 J. Wainwright All on Summer's Day 12 Some thunder-and-lightning speed merchant on the opposing side bowled a yorker and chipped a bone in the batsman's ankle. |