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.
SLORK, v., n. Also slurk; slorg (Jam.). [slork]
I. v. 1. intr. To make a slobbering noise when eating or drinking, or in any other connection (Slk. 1825 Jam.; Watson). Also used tr. to suck in (food or drink), to slobber up noisily (Kcb., Rxb. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Lnk., sm. and s.Sc. 1970), or in large mouthfuls (Slk. 1825 Jam.). Ppl.adj. slorkin, slobbering, spluttering.Lnk. 1912 Rymour Club Misc. II. 149:
Ye'll ken the muckle slorkin' hashes Jist by their glowre.Rxb. 1958 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 26:
Stop slorkin' and stop ‘clatchin' eer meat'.
2. To reinhale nasal mucus, to sniff or snort through the nose loudly (Kcb. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Lnk., sm.Sc. 1970). Cf. II. 2.
3. To make a squelching noise through being soaking wet, of shoes; of persons: to walk with wide or wet shoes, as through slush (Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Dmf., Rxb. 1970).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Ma buits were juist slorkin'.
II. n. 1. A noisy sucking in of food or drink (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 39; Lnk., sm. and s.Sc. 1970); the quantity so taken, a gulp, “slug”, swig.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 172:
He teuk a geud slurk o' brandy.
2. A loud and prolonged sniff, a snuffling of nasal mucus (Kcb. 1970).Kcb. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
Slork is applied to the sound given out when one's nose requires blowing, but the secretion is “slorked” back into the nasal cavity.
