birkie

American  

[bur-kee, bir-kee] / ˈbɜr ki, ˈbɪr ki /

noun

Scot.

1. an aggressive, independent man.

---

birkie British  

/ ˈbɪrkɪ /

noun

1. a spirited or lively person

2. a foolish posturer

---

Etymology

Origin of birkie

First recorded in 1715–25; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

To-morrow, the birkie o’ Harden shall have his choice—either upon the instant to marry our daughter, Meikle-mouthed Meg, or strap for it.”

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 2 Historical, Traditional, and Imaginative by Wilson, John Mackay

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

"Wud ye?" said the Carnoustie birkie, jumpin' till his feet.

From My Man Sandy by Salmond, J. B.

She was nine-and-twenty, and a birkie woman of nine-and-twenty can make a good husband out of very unpromising material.

From The House with the Green Shutters by Brown, George Douglas

You see yon birkie ca'd a lord, Wha struts and stares, and a' that: Though hundreds worship at his word He's but a coof for a' that.

From Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul by Mudge, James