Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1844-1875
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BULKIE, BULKY, Bulkey, n. A constable (Abd.2, Ags.1 (obs.) 1937; Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn., bulkey); a sheriff's officer. Also attrib. Formerly also used in Eng. slang.Mearns 1844 W. Jamie Muse of the Mearns 113:
The bulky lads were aye about, To keep a' quiet, ye needna doubt.Ags. 1875 J. Watson Samples of Common Sense in Verse 31:
A set o' bulkies by the way Will stop and seize ye.
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"Bulkie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bulkie>
