Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1908-1929
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BUNKS, Bonks, Bungs, n. and v. [bʌŋks]
1. n. A heap (of clothes). esp. on one overclad.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Shø had a b[unks] o' claes upon her.
2. v.
(1) With up: to overload (with clothes), to muffle up.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He bonkst him [himself] op wi' claes.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was properly bungsed up aboot the neck.
ppl.adj. bunkset, bungset, "dressed too heavily (and carelessly)" (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); "thick and clumsy" (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.).
(2) To walk clumsily.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He guid bunksin by.
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"Bunks n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bunks>
