1. For the literal use see THUNDER sb. 1.
2. fig. Denunciation, invective: cf. THUNDER sb. 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 colors, 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 colors.
[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, March. 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. 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. Miss Braddon, in World, 3 March, 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 sb. 6.
