birkie
[bur-kee; Scot. bir-kee]
- an aggressive, independent man.
Origin of birkie
First recorded in 1715–25; of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for birkie
Historical Examples
Oh, said he, looking awkward, I didna want Birkie to ken he was tied.
Spare HoursJohn Brown
Birkie, birk′i, n. a strutting or swaggering fellow: a fellow generally.
Ye shall never say that Robin of Airyolan roguit ony man,—even a feckless toon's birkie wi' bandy legs!'
Tales of Our CoastS. R. Crockett
She was nine-and-twenty, and a birkie woman of nine-and-twenty can make a good husband out of very unpromising material.
The House with the Green ShuttersGeorge Douglas Brown
It wad be better telling ye to answer ceevilly a ceevil question, my birkie.
A Daughter of RaasayWilliam MacLeod Raine
birkie
- a spirited or lively person
- a foolish posturer
Word Origin
C18: perhaps related to Old English beorcan to bark; compare Old Norse berkia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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