Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1866, 1929-1944
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DURK, n.2, adj. Also dork, dorg, durg, dirk.
1. n. Something big and clumsy; a stout, big-boned or clumsily-built person (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), dorg, dork; Ork.2 1950; Bnff.2 1941; Abd.27 1950; Kcb.4 1900, durg); a lump of anything (Sh.10 1950). Hence durkie, adj., clumsy (Ork.5 1951).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
What a great durk o' a knife to carry about wi' thee!Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42:
"A durk o' a stick;" "A durk o' a carrit." The word is also applied to persons; as, "He's a stout durk o' a cheel."
2. adj. Thick-set, sturdily built, squat (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, durk, dirk, 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.). Also durkie, -y (Ags. 1950), †durgy (Lth. 1808 Jam.).Per. 1944 D. M. Forrester Logiealmond 197:
A short "durky" man, with his big head far sunk between his shoulders.
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"Durk n.2, adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/durk_n2_adj>
