subs. (old).—See quots., and JOHN-A-NOKES.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. NOKES. A Ninny or Fool; also a noted Droll lately Dead.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. NOKES; JOHN-A-NOKES and Tom-a-Stiles, two honest peaceable gentlemen, repeatedly set together by the ears by lawyers of different denominations. Two fictitious names commonly used in law proceedings.
