Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BROOKIE, Bruickie, Bruiky, adj. and n.
1. adj. “Grimy, dirty” (Bnff.2, Abd.9 1936; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., bruiky); covered with soot.ne.Sc. 1929 “Sub Divo” in Abd. Press and Jnl. (18 Sept.) 6/5:
For the lift itsel's as brookie as the weet it's teemin' doon — O gi'e me the caller rain aff Benachie.Abd. 1841 J. Imlah Poems and Songs 18:
The peasants base the social pillar, The brookie smith, the dusty miller.Abd. 1995 Flora Garry Collected Poems 13:
Och, I'm tire't of plyterin oot an in
Amo hens an swine an kye,
Kirnin amo brookie pots
An yirnin croods an fye.
2. n.
(1) “A ludicrous designation for a blacksmith, from his face being begrimed. For this reason the term is applied to Vulcan” [as in quot. 2] (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.2; Abd.19 1936).Bnff.6 1914:
Aye, brookie, fat news hae ye the nicht?Lnk. 1737 W. Meston Old Mother Grim's Tales 58:
This Coach, I'd have you understand, Old Brookie made with his own Hand. Brookie, at this, threw by his Hammer.
(2) A name for the devil (Bnff.2 1936).Abd. 1832 Anon. J. Fleeman (1912) 66:
Faith, Robbie, I doot ye're auld Bruickie's handiwork.
(3) “Old Maid,” in the card game of that name.Abd.(D) 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 196:
Aw'm oot! Ye're aul' brookie, gweedwife!
