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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

birkie

The birkie doesna stand in need o' cash; for he gies saxpence to this ane, and a shillin to the tither ane, for gangin errans.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various

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 Charles Martin Hardie

Ye’re wae men, ye’re nae men That slight the lovely dears; To shame ye, disclaim ye, Ilk honest birkie swears.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns

Div a look like an English birkie, or ane o’ the gentry?’

From The Disentanglers by Andrew Lang

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

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