Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1852-1958
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TURKAS, n. Also turkis(s). [′tʌrkɪs]
1. A pair of pincers or pliers such as used by a blacksmith, carpenter or cobbler (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1973).Bnff. 1852 A. Harper Solitary Hours 40:
He was a ferdy, gulschy gurkas, Wi' bowsie legs just like a turkas.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxvii.:
That turkis i' the smith's sheein box.ne.Sc. 1909 G. Greig Folk-Song xii.:
He spewed the turkiss and a stane.Abd. 1958 Buchan Observer (4 March) 5:
Extracted by the local blacksmith, who had hauled her round the smiddy with that tooth in the grip of a turkas.
†2. Fig., applied to a gripping oppressive man (Abd. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1882 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 78:
Some crusty aul' Turkis, wi' a face like a grey cuddy's.
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"Turkas n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/turkas>
