Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BAIRGE, n.¹ and v.¹ [berdʒ]

1. n. “An affected bobbing walk” (Jam.² 1825 for Slk.).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 47:
Bairge, a strutting walk.

2. v. “To walk with a jerk or spring upwards” (Slk. Jam.²); “to strut” (Abd. Jam.²).Ayr.⁴ 1928:
Bairge, to strut about angrily.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 47:
Bairge, to walk in an affected bobbing manner; to strut: “He gangs bairgin' aboot as if the hail place belang'd 'im.”