Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SHIRK, n. Also shurk. Variant forms of Eng. shark, the fish (Sh. 1898 Shetland News (23 April), 1916 J. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (Faebruary) 10; Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 265, shurk, Sh. 1970).
[The vowel development is ir, ur < er < air. See P.L.D. §48.1(2) and I, letter of alphabet.]
