Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FLINK, Flenk, Flinks, v., n., adj. [flɪŋk(s), flɛŋk]
I. v. 1. To walk jauntily or nimbly (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.10 1952).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 50:
Bit tings o lasses flinks aboot Wi aa dis cüreis bits o cloot Dey caa dir claes.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was gaen flinkan aboot as if he was a Lord or an Earl.
2. To romp, to frolic (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh.13 1952, flinks); to flirt (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh.11 1952).
II. n. A conceited, jaunty air, a dash (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh.10 1952); a frolic, a flirtation.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Der'r a flink upo yon ane (yon lass), look, how she sweeps along (in all her finery).Sh.11 1952:
“Is he gaain wi' her in earnest?” “Na, juist for a flenk.”
III. adj. Nimble, agile (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh.10 1952).
[Prob. of mixed orig., partly Norw. dial. flingsa, flangsa, to run, gad about, flinka, to drive on with work, partly a variant of Fling. For the adj., cf. Norw. flink, smart, brisk, agile.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Flink v., n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/flink>
