ProverbHuman Nature
American origin19th c.
American origin19th c.Lightning never strikes twice
Meaning: Rare events are unlikely to happen to the same person twice.
Example: “Don't count on another win like that; lightning never strikes twice.”
Origin: The saying appears in American writing by the 1850s, as a figure for unlikely coincidences. It is false as physics: lightning follows the easiest path to the ground, so tall structures are hit again and again, and the Empire State Building is struck around 25 times a year.
Equivalents in French and Spanish
French: La foudre ne frappe jamais deux fois au même endroit (literally: Lightning never strikes twice at the same place)
Spanish: Un rayo no cae dos veces en el mismo lugar (literally: A lightning bolt doesn't strike twice in the same place)
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