Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824, 1928-1985
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SNIRK, v.2, n.2 Also snyirk- (Sh.), snirkle. [sn(j)ɪrk]
I. v. To snort, to wrinkle the nose, to snigger (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1942 Zai; Dmf. 1971). Also in Eng. dial. Ppl.adj. snirket, pinched, wizened, puckered, of a face (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh., Rxb. 1971).Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 112:
He snirtles wi' his neb and snirks.wm.Sc. 1985 Liz Lochhead Tartuffe 6:
Snirkle away then, and smirk up yir sleeve,
Ah've had mair than enough, it's time to leave!
Deriv. snirkam, -um, sn(y)irkim, strong drink, sc. which makes the face screw up (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1880 Jam., Sh. 1971).Sh. 1928 Shetland Times (14 July):
Twa glesses o pritty laek snirkim.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 18:
Kirsie an me aye laeks ta hae a grain a snyirkim boot da hoose at Yule.
II. n. A snort, a snigger (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Sh., Dmf., Rxb. 1971).
[Norw. dial. snerka, to shrivel, shrink in, become puckered, snyrkja, to make to shrink, Faer., O.N. snerkja, to wrinkle, screw up (one's face).]
