Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1938
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‡FLIRD, v., n. Also flyrd. [flɪrd]
I. v. 1. To flutter (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); to flounce, flaunt (Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 173); to move restlessly or frivolously from place to place (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 48; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Ppl.adj. flirdin-aboot, gadding, unsettled.Bnff. 1851 R. Sim Leg. Strathisla 62:
For a' her braws, whilk nae doot she maun flird aboot wi' for the sake o' her callin'.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 48:
He's a flirdin'-aboot bodie: he'll nivir come to gueede.Sc. 1938 Gsw. Herald (29 Jan.):
Are there no thochts in a man's hert That flird as licht as a world on air?
2. To act the flirt (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Deriv. flirdoch, id. (Abd. 1825 Jam.).
II. n. 1. Anything thin and unsubstantial, as a toy, a thin piece of cake, board, etc. (Ayr., Dmf., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Kcb.4 1900), esp. a flimsy, tawdry or worn-out dress (Ayr., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also fig., vanities, vain finery. Dim. flirdikin (Abd.19 1930). Deriv. †flyr-dome, affectation, ostentation, pretence (Lnk. 1825 Jam.).Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 62:
Thae flirds o' silk, brought owre the seas.Mry. 1824 J. Cock Hamespun Lays 118:
They pay us for our goods an' wark Wi' flirds ye mith blaw o'er the kirk!Rxb. 1871 H. S. Riddell Poet. Wks. I. 74:
Let manly worth doff the flyrds of folly.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (10 April) 419:
He had flirds for the lasses, an' breeks for the men, An' cleadin' for bairns, an' folk three score an' ten.
2. A silly, vain, dressy or fickle person (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 207; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 48). Dim. forms flirdie; flirdoch, id. (Abd.4 1931), a flirt (Abd. 1825 Jam.), flirdochin (Abd.27 1950). Adj. flirdie, fickle, giddy; skittish, of a horse (Lth. 1825 Jam.).Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 186:
Giglet flirds That eye vain fellows for their airy dress.Bnff. 1869 W. Knight Auld Yule 17:
A sma' bit flirdie o' a thing, Wi' cheeks as white's a clout.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 17:
Sin rimey mornin' dinkt the green The day had been a flirdie quean.
†3. A flounce, a petulant impatient movement.Lnk. a.1852 in J. G. Wilson Poets and Poetry Scot. (1877) I. 384:
Though she ne'er learn'd steps. nor to wheel Wi' flirds an' airs newfasont.Lnk. 1884 J. Nicholson Willie Waugh 66:
Sae oot the door she flew wi' sic a flird, Baith her an' Meg alike had ta'en the dird.
