A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1513, 1650
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Swanky, -(i)e, -ing, n. [MLG swank, MDu. swanc flexible, supple, ON svangr thin, lean, OE swancor pliant, supple, agile. Also in the later dial.] An ? agile, ? loutish ? servant lad. Also as a nickname. —a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i 298.
A maistir swynhird Swanky And his cousing Copyn Cull … Led the dance c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 130.
Sueir swappit swanky, swynekeper ay for swaittis, Thy commissar Quintyne biddis thé cum kis his ers, He luvis nocht sic ane forlane loun of laittis c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 41/26.
My sweit swanky [M. swanking] saif ȝow allane Na leid I luvit all this owk 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 68.
Swengeouris and scurryvagis, swankeis and swanys c1650 Spalding I 66.
Compeirit befoir the counsall James Gordoun of Letterfurie, and Alexander Gordoun, callit Swankie, his page
