very like a whale

English

Etymology

From an exchange between Hamlet and Polonius (discussing the shape of a cloud) in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

Adjective

very like a whale (not comparable)

1. (slang, humorous) Highly improbable; not to be believed.
   • 1859, Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, page 541:

     'On your way to dine with Sir William Ayr, indeed! Very like a whale that, captain, but not quite so large, you understand!' the sergeant said jeeringly.

References

• John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary