Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1891-1952
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0]
FLINK, Flenk, Flinks, v., n., adj. [flɪŋk(s), flɛŋk]
I. v. 1. To walk jauntily or nimbly (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.10 1952).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 50:
Bit tings o lasses flinks aboot Wi aa dis cüreis bits o cloot Dey caa dir claes.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was gaen flinkan aboot as if he was a Lord or an Earl.
2. To romp, to frolic (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh.13 1952, flinks); to flirt (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh.11 1952).
II. n. A conceited, jaunty air, a dash (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh.10 1952); a frolic, a flirtation.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Der'r a flink upo yon ane (yon lass), look, how she sweeps along (in all her finery).Sh.11 1952:
"Is he gaain wi' her in earnest?" "Na, juist for a flenk."
III. adj. Nimble, agile (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh.10 1952).
[Prob. of mixed orig., partly Norw. dial. flingsa, flangsa, to run, gad about, flinka, to drive on with work, partly a variant of Fling. For the adj., cf. Norw. flink, smart, brisk, agile.]
