> as lemmas

1542 T. Becon David's Harpe in Early Wks. (1834) 276 He is as plain as a pack-staff.

1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 3 A newe game..that hath no policie nor knauery, but plaine as a pike staffe.

1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 103 In..Scotland..Religion is..pure and spotlesse without ceremonie, and plain as a pike staffe without a surplise.

1650 T. Vaughan Man-mouse 26 He..flings another Calthrop in my way, but it will not prick, it is smooth, and plaine as a pad staffe.

1714 R. Hunter Androboros iii. ii. 22 Why, is not that a Hand as plain as a pike Staff? Is not this a Nose?

1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth III. 22 When a Reason's as plain as a Pike-staff.

1762 S. Foote Orators i. i. 31 An ye'll but had yer tongue, I'se prove it as plain as a pike-staff.

1834 T. Hood Tylney Hall (1840) 379 You've got my meaning as plain as a pikestaff.

1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xlii. 367 The evidence against him was as plain as a pike-staff.

1873 E. Bulwer-Lytton Kenelm Chillingly I. ii. ix. 229 She is as plain as a pikestaff.

1894 Pall Mall Mag. Sept. 37 There was my own spoor as plain as a pikestaff.

1953 D. Whipple Someone at Distance xxxii. 300 ‘It's as plain as a pikestaff he doesn't want you,’ said Miss Daley.

1990 S. Johnson Flying Lessons x. 73 Emma James was blessed with a chameleonlike appearance: able to look plain as a pikestaff, or like someone at whom you looked twice.