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

Hardly was his back turned than in came the birkie and the very young lady the old gentleman described, arm-and-arm together, laughing like daft Dog on it!

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 06 — Fiction by Mee, Arthur

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

Even a gay young birkie like yoursel' should understand that, Mr. Johnson.

From Copper Streak Trail by Rhodes, Eugene Manlove

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

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