Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BIRKIE, Birky, n.3 In phr. as bare as birkie, — birky (dim. forms), expressive of absolute bareness. Cf. Birk, n.1, 5.Wgt. 1880 G. Fraser Lowland Lore 159:
As bare as birkie.Dmf. 1908 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo (2nd ed.) 15–16:
[It had] fower waa's . . . as bare as birkie, except for a map of Scotland and a picter o' an elephant.Uls. 1923 J. Logan Ulster in the X-rays (2nd ed.) vii.:
I hae come through the femine o', 48, an' was left as bare as birky.
