Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MIRKIE, adj., adv. Also mirky; merkie; murkie.
I. adj. Bright, cheerful, merry; mischievous-looking (n.Sc. 1808, Fif., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1963).Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 29:
The third [quean] wis . . . as mirkie as maukin at the start.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 190:
Shou'd some blyth murkie lassie tak your e'e, Ye'd change your tale.Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 92:
I've aften seen fu' mirky ye appear'd When Tibbie's name was brought abeen the beard.Fif. 1883 W. D. Latto Bodkin Papers xxiv.:
“Man”, says he, puttin' on a mirkie look, which spak' volumes.Abd. 1906 J. Christie Drachlaw Revisited 5:
Tae a' the sckweel it was a sicht Tae see the merkie wee bit picht Cry “Cuckoo” there wi' a' its micht.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (29 May):
Look at yer corn in May, and turn in sorrow away! But view it again in June, and ye may fussle a mirky tune! Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 26:
He heard the young pleasure-seekers win hame frae the discos, fusslin an chirpin tae ane anither like mirky spurgies.
II. adv. Cheerfully, pleasantly, in a well-pleased manner.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 25:
Faith ye lookit mirky in his face.Abd. 1891 Bon-Accord (14 March) 19:
Smiling so “mirky like” during the singing.ne.Sc. 1921 Swatches o' Hamespun 14:
They kittlet up fu' mirky.
