erk

American

[urk] / ɜrk /

noun

British Slang.

an aircraftsman of the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force.
a worthless, stupid person; jerk.

erk British

/ ɜːk /

noun

slang an aircraftman or naval rating

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of erk

First recorded in 1920–25; earlier naval slang for any noncommissioned rank; 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.

In referring to the root ark, erk, I have omitted the Ir. earc, water, the appellative most nearly concerned.

From The River-Names of Europe by Ferguson, Robert

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023