birkie

American  

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

noun

Scot.

1. an aggressive, independent man.

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birkie British  

/ ˈbɪrkɪ /

noun

1. a spirited or lively person

2. a foolish posturer

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Etymology

Origin of birkie

First recorded in 1715–25; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

I have a young birkie," said the Lord Keeper, willing to change the tone of the conversation, "of much the same turn.

From The Bride of Lammermoor by Scott, Walter, Sir

Ye see yon birkie ca'd "a lord,"   Wha' struts an' stares, an' a 'that?

From Types of Children's Literature by Barnes, Walter

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

And how do you think, my braw birkie, that you are to pass for a tramping fiddler?'

From Redgauntlet by Scott, Walter, Sir

"Yon Lord Curzon's an impudent birkie," she said, with a rush of tears to her eyes that seemed even to herself an excessive comment on Lord Curzon; then the knock came.

From The Judge by West, Rebecca