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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FORK, n., v. Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A thorough search, a hunt (Sh., ne.Sc., Fif. 1953). With for, persistency in seeking self-advantage, “care of one's own interest, with the idea of search” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 52).Ib.:
He hid an unco fork for't, afore he got it.

†2. Gallows, the right of (pit and) gallows. Arch., ad. Lat. furca [et fossa], id.Slk. 1824 Hogg Justified Sinner 275:
His Majesty . . . makes . . . and incorporates the whole lands above mentioned in an haill and free barony . . . with court, plaint, . . . sock, fork, . . . sundry other commodities.

3. A forkful (I.Sc., Abd., Per. 1975). Dmf. 1829 New Scotch Haggis 61:
Gie't a fork 'o strae to eat, it [a pig] 'll be hungry.

†4. Phrs.: (1) forks and knives, the moss, Lycopodium clavatum; (2) to stick a fork in the waw, of a midwife, who, by doing so, is thought to be able to “throw the pains of a woman in labour upon her husband” (Sc. 1808 Jam.), with the ulterior motive of warding off evil spirits from the birth by the use of some iron instrument [see J. M. McPherson Prim. Beliefs N.-E. Scot. (1929) 110–1].(1) Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 257:
The spikes of it are called Forks and Knives, according as they are single, double or triple.

II. v. 1. To look out, fend (for oneself), to seek a living (Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., m.Lth. 1953). Usu. with for, to search, hunt (for) (Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Fif., m.Lth. 1953).Abd. 1825 Jam.:
“Forkin' for siller,” being in quest of money; “forkin for a job,” looking out for employment.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 52:
He'll fork for himsel'; he can live wintin's grannie, yon lad.Abd. 1923 J. R. Imray Village Roupie 36:
I'm left to fork my lane On public charity's cauld han'.Abd.²⁷ 1953:
I wisna richt sure far he bade but I forkit him out.

2. Vbl.n. forkin, used as Eng. fork = (1) the bifurcation of the body at the thighs (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ags., Ayr. 2000s); (2) the point where a river divides into two or more streams, esp. in its upper reaches (Ib.; Abd., Ags. 1953; Ayr., Dmf. 2000s). Found in place-names; (3) any similar bifurcation, e.g. the fork of a tree, roads, etc. (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ayr., Dmf., Rxb. 2000s). Occas. also in Eng.(1) Rxb. 1807 J. Ruickbie Wayside Cottager 187:
Now, we may p — ss for evermore, An' never dry our forkin.(2) Dmf. 1894 R. Reid Poems 86:
Leese me on ilk wimplin' burn That doon its forkin' slides.(3) Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 261:
We've . . . watch'd the gooldie bring the doon to big her nestie wee, Atween the cosie forkins o' the auld aik tree.

3. Ppl.adj. forkit. For forkit-tail, see Forkietail.