force majeure

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, "it's out of our hands, so we don't 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.