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

The birkie is gettin' his Questions To say in Saint Stephen's the morn.

From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert

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

From The Disentanglers by Lang, Andrew

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

From My Man Sandy by Salmond, J. B.

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

From Types of Children's Literature by Barnes, Walter

The stiffest o' them a' he bow'd, The bauldest o' them a' he cow'd; They durst nae mair than he allow'd, That was a law: We've lost a birkie weel worth gowd; Willie's awa!

From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert