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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BIRK, n.4 A stout, well-built boy or lad, or one big for his age. S.D.D. 1911 defines it as a sharp youth and so also do Bnff.2, Bnff.4, Bnff.7 1934. [bɪ̢̈rk, bʌrk]Bnff. 1923 W.C. in Bnffsh. Jnl. (24 July); Abd.2 1934:
Dyod, fin we wis birks o' loons, we gid treetlin' awa' three-four mile t' the kirk.

[This word occurs late and is confined to a limited area. It may perhaps be a recent shortening of Birkie, n.1, q.v., influenced by the better-known Gurk, q.v.]

2979

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