Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PAIKIE, n. Also pykie. A day labourer (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.); an estate worker (Ags. 1919 T.S.D.C.), specif. one employed in forestry (Ags. 1965), in rather disparaging usage.
[Orig. uncertain. Phs. a deriv. of Paik, v., 2. or n., 3. or associated with paikie s.v. Paik, n., 1.]