subs. (old).—Gin. FLASH OF LIGHTNING (or CLAP OF THUNDER) = a glass of gin. For synonyms, see DRINKS and SATIN.
1789. G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, 154. Noggin of LIGHTNING. A quartern of gin.
1823. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (3rd ed.), s.v.
1838. T. E. WILKS, John Smith, i. 2. Sometimes we have a little bet as well, but nothing to speak of—some heavy or a FLASH OF LIGHTNING.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, i. 160. He would … express his desire to add … the stimulant of a FLASH OF LIGHTNING.
