Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DURK, n.2, adj. Also dork, dorg, durg, dirk.
1. n. Something big and clumsy; a stout, big-boned or clumsily-built person (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), dorg, dork; Ork.2 1950; Bnff.2 1941; Abd.27 1950; Kcb.4 1900, durg); a lump of anything (Sh.10 1950). Hence durkie, adj., clumsy (Ork.5 1951).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
What a great durk o' a knife to carry about wi' thee!Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42:
“A durk o' a stick;” “A durk o' a carrit.” The word is also applied to persons; as, “He's a stout durk o' a cheel.”
2. adj. Thick-set, sturdily built, squat (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, durk, dirk, 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.). Also durkie, -y (Ags. 1950), †durgy (Lth. 1808 Jam.).Per. 1944 D. M. Forrester Logiealmond 197:
A short “durky” man, with his big head far sunk between his shoulders.
