Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TUNK, n., v. [tʌŋk]
I. n. The stake in marbles.Edb. 1965 J. T. R. Ritchie Golden City 65:
The one who's bool was nearest decided the tunk that each player then put on the lid.
II. v. To sweep the stakes at marbles. Ppl.adj. tunkit, bankrupt, “cleaned out”, “rooked”.Ags. 1921 A. S. Neill Carroty Broon x.:
It was the proper thing in playing bools to keep declaring loudly that you were nearly tunkit.Ags. 1946 Forfar Dispatch (26 Dec.):
Mary Ann's Japanese hamper and Gladstone baggie widna hae looked at a' the stech she'd gaithered. Forbye we wiz tunkit.