subs. (common).—A seat for passengers running lengthwise on the roof of an omnibus: now mostly superseded by ‘garden seats.’ Fr. l’impératrice.

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  1853.  Diogenes, ii. 21. A ‘Correspondent’ calls the top of an omnibus ‘the eyrie of the KNIFE-BOARD.’

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  1856.  Punch, xxxi. 203. And then the KNIFEBOARD cramps you so. Ibid. (1859), xxxvi. 51, 2. Perhaps Mum’ll ride on the KNIFEBOARD.

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  1860.  ARTHUR SMITH, The Thames Angler, ii.

        On ’busses’ KNIFEBOARDS stretch’d,
The City clerks all tongue-protruded lay.

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  1882.  Daily News, 7 Oct., p. 5, col. 7. The box, or still better the KNIFEBOARD, of an omnibus facing the docks is the real shifting point from which to view the most superb range of docks in existence on any river but the Thames. Ibid. (1889), 5 Jan. The ‘insides’ were terrified, and clamoured loudly, so the driver left his seat, staggered up on the KNIFEBOARD, and fell asleep.

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