English

Noun

Jewish lightning ‎(uncountable)

1. (offensive) Supposed cause of a fire which is in fact deliberately lit by the property owner in order to benefit from insurance or similar such as destruction of documents.
   • 1996, John le Carré, interviewed at salon.com

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