Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TURK, prop.n., adj., v. Sc. usages:
†I. n. Phrs. 1. to play turk at, to repel fiercely, to put up a savage fight against; 2. Turk upon Turk, some kind of fabric used in upholstery, poss. a mixture of wool and canvas with a thick pile, like a Turkish carpet, moquette. Cf. Fr. velours à la turque, Turkish velvet.1. Ayr. a.1851 A. Aitken Poems (1873) 69:
Their swindling tricks he aye play'd turk at [of a fierce watchdog].2. Sc. a.1733 New Bk. Old Ballads (Maidment 1844) 62:
To add some five or six plies Of good Turk upon Turk.Sc. 1748 Caled. Mercury (10 March):
Turk upon Turk Beds, Feather-beds and blankets.Ayr. 1870 J. K. Hunter Life Studies 77–8:
A Turk-upon-Turk bed. . . . Their Turk-upon-Turk hangings.
II. adj. Fierce, truculent, sullen (ne.Sc., Ags. 1973).Ags. 1850 J. Brodie Brechin Cat Case 1:
As turk an' selfish as the De'il.wm.Sc. 1903 “S. Macplowter” Mrs. McCraw 28:
The minister lookit gey turk.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 20:
Gin ye didna buy something fae 'im he wis fell turk.
III. v. To become very angry, break out in rage (Abd. 1973).
[O.Sc. turk, a kind of cloth, 1660.]
