Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
JIRK, n., v. Sc. form and usages of Eng. jerk.
I. n. 1. A jerk. Phr. in a jerk, in an instant (Ags., Per. 1959), and comb. jirk-a-dowdie, a see-saw (Cai.4 c.1920).Cai. 1829 J. Hay Poems 69:
And wi' a jirk sae quick and clever Let fluids run.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 10:
An' Davie got her doon the brae, Wi' neither jolt nor jirk.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 279:
In a jerk, Jean was in the room with an armful of white robes.
2. A smart blow (Abd., Ags. 1930); fig. a stroke of fortune. Cf. Yerk.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 97:
Tho' as stupid as a dunky, Yet by accidental jerk Donald rides before a flunky.Dmf. 1868 J. Salmon Gowodean 90:
Think you I'll lose by sic left handed jirk What I've made ripe by years o' anxious work?
3. A trick. Also in Eng. dial.Gall. 1796 J. Lauderdale Poems 24:
Ye ken yersel' how ye did play Your jirks just here the other day.
II. v. To walk smartly and jauntily, to make a sudden darting movement, dodge about.Mry. c.1850 in R. Douglas Lays (1939) 27:
An doon by the Hospital jirket fu' trig As supple as supple could be.Hdg. 1886 J. P. Reid Facts and Fancies 107:
'Mang the laich bushes we, hidin', wad jirk.
