subs. (common).—1. A long closely-buttoned overcoat. [A coinage of Punch: from a similarity to the wooden figures in a toy ark.]
2. (nautical).—See quot.
1867. W. H. SMYTH, Sailor’s Word-Book, 498, s.v. NOAH’S ARK, Certain clouds elliptically parted, considered a sign of fine weather after rain.
3. (rhyming slang).—A LARK (q.v.).
1887. G. R. SIMS, Dagonet Ditties, in Referee, 7 Nov., p. 7, c. 3, ‘Tottie.’ She cried, What a NOAH’S ARK!
