birkie
Americannoun
noun
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a spirited or lively person
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a foolish posturer
Etymology
Origin of birkie
First recorded in 1715–25; of uncertain origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A lord, no doubt, may be a "birkie" and a "coof," but may not a ploughman be so too?
From Robert Burns by Shairp, John Campbell
Look ye hear, my bit birkie," says Sandy, gien a gey wild-like wink wi' his richt e'e, "you speak when ye're spoken till!
From My Man Sandy by Salmond, J. B.
Hardly was his back turned, and almost before ye could cry Jack Robison, in comes the birkie and the very young lady the old gentleman described, arm-and-arm together, smoodging and laughing like daft.
From The Life of Mansie Wauch Tailor in Dalkeith, written by himself by Moir, David Macbeth
Hardly was his back turned, and almost before he could cry Jack Robison, in comes the birkie and the very young lady the old gentleman described, arm-and-arm together, smoodging and laughing like daft.
From The Life of Mansie Wauch tailor in Dalkeith by Hardie, Charles Martin
As the young birkie grew up, he soon gave evidence of being a sad scapegrace.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 15 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
