Force majeure

[Zipporah Schumaker]

Literally, French for greater force and in older contracts, an [act of God]- an event beyond human control, such as weather, [hurricanes], earthquakes, etc. In insurance and travel contracts, this is the weasel phrase meaning shit happens, or at greater length, its out of our hands, so we dont have to do anything for you - if your flight is cancelled because of weather, it is considered to be cancelled because of force majeure and in most cases you are SOL for [lodging], meals etc. until they can arrange to get you out on another flight, perhaps days later.

[Dianne]

an unexpected event such as a war, crime, or an earthquake which prevents someone from doing something that is written in a legal agreement: