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.
‡CHORK, v. [tʃɔrk]
1. To make a squelching noise; gen. used of the sound made when walking with water-filled shoes. Ppl.adj. chorking. Given as obsol. for Rxb. by Watson in W.-B. (1923).Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems II. 111:
Aft have I wid throu' Glens with chorking Feet, When neither Plaid nor Kelt cou'd fend the Weet.m.Sc. 1926 “O. Douglas” Proper Place (1929) xxii.:
Nicole . . . slipped and fell into a deep pool. . . . She laughed and made her wet shoes “chork” to amuse Alastair.Rxb. 1807 J. Ruickbie Way-side Cottager 186:
Lang may ye casks be corkin' Lang may John Barleycorn's gore Amang your thumbs be chorkin.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The grund's fair chorkin'.
2. “To snort, especially when eating” (Ib.).
[A variant of Chirk, q.v., with mimetic adaptation. Chork is used to indicate a coarser, duller sound.]
