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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PIRK, v., n. Also perk; pierk. [pɪrk, pirk]

I. v. 1. Of hair, fibres, etc.: to stand up stiffly, to bristle, to have a frizzled, pointed appearance (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., pierk, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1965). Ppl.adj. pi(e)rkit, sharp and rough-looking, sticking up, bristling (Edm., Jak.), pointed (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); of the features: shrunken, sharp, peaked, aquiline (Id.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A pirket-lookin' body, sheep; pirket-faced.

2. Of persons: to dress in a precise and careful way, to “primp” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1965). Ppl.adj. pierket, over-dressed, “dolled up” (Ib.).Sh. 1964 New Shetlander No. 68. 36:
Da lasses sit an pirk an preen, Dey rid da lips an black da een.

II. n. A sharp point, a thorn, prickle (Cai. 1965, perk). Hence perky, a prod, poke, stab; dim. pirkle, usu. in pl., the spiked nose-band used to prevent cows milking themselves (Ork. 1887 Jam.; Cai. 1939), or to prevent a calf sucking (Cai., Bnff., Bte. 1965).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 103:
He cruggled in wi' miny a bicker, Wi' miny a tirs an' rug an' perky.
Cai. 1934:
Pirk was another word in use in our vernacular. It meant a sharp point, such as a thorn. It was common on the harvest field, where thistles abounded, to hear someone say, “a pirk in my hand”.

[Orig. doubtful. Phs. partly ad. Eng. perk, to make spruce or smart, to stick up or out, project (the form pierk is found in Eng. in 17th c.), partly also Norw. pirk(e), (to) poke, prod, prick.]

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"Pirk v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pirk>

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