Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1930-1957
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PIRKAS, n. Also pirkus. [′pɪrkəs]
1. An unofficial emolument or addition to one's income, a gratuity, tip, perquisite, “perk” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 383, pirkus).
2. A thing worth having, something of value, a lucky acquisition or gain (Cai.8 1934). Also used ironically = a small matter, a “detail” (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C., Cai. 1965).Cai. 1930 John o' Groat Jnl. (3 Jan.):
'At's a pirkas; fa wid miss 'em if they a' deed 'e morn?
3. A small fussy person (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C.).
4. A finicky troublesome matter, a bother, pickle, predicament (Cai. 1965).Cai. 1934 John o' Groat Jnl. (2 Feb.):
Fan they cam' oot hid wis as dark as pitch, an' boy they wir in a pirkas.Cai. 1957:
I heard the shepherd say he was in an “affa pirkas” when he'd been up the hill alone at night and a gimmer had forsaken her lamb and he couldn't catch her.
