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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
¶PINKERTON, n. A feeble-minded person, a person of low intellect, a simpleton (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 382). Also pinkie, id. (Ib.).
[Phs. a deriv. of Pink, n.2, sc. one who has a small brain or only a glimmer of intelligence, formed after simpleton and the prop. name Pinkerton.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Pinkerton n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pinkerton>
