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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PARKIN, n. Also perkin (Sc. 1887 Jam.). A hard round ginger-flavoured biscuit made of oatmeal, flour, and treacle, with an almond in the centre (Sc. 1950 A. R. Daniel Bakers' Dict.). Gen.Sc. and n.Eng. dial. Cf. Parlie.Sc. 1907 J. Kirkland Mod. Baker II. 188:
Scotch Parkins belong to the same family as Parleys.Lnk. 1997 Duncan Glen Seventeen Poems 7:
Cream cookies; braw sugar-tapped
Yins wi the cream oozed oot
For lickin.
And biscuits to feenish:
Perkins, bannocks, mebbe, ... Edb. 2003:
Ah yaised tae hae a cat that liked perkins.

[Orig. unknown. Phs. from the proper name Parkin or Perkin, though it is not known that the biscuit was originated by one of this name.]

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