An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BYRE, s. Cowhouse, S. Byer, id. Cumb.
Gawan and Gol.

Perhaps allied to Franc. buer, a cottage; byre, Su. G. byr, a village; Germ. bauer, habitaculum, cavea; from Su. G. bo, bu-a, to dwell. Or from Isl. bu, a cow; Gael. bo, id.

BIRK, s. Birch, a tree; S. Betula alba, Linn.
Douglas.

A. S. birc, Isl. biorki, Teut. berck, id.

To BIRK, v. n. To give a tart answer, to converse in a sharp and cutting way; S.

A. S. birc-an, beorc-an, to bark, q. of a snarling humour.

Hence,

BIRKIE, adj. Tart, in speech, S.

BIRKY, s.
1. A lively young fellow; a person of mettle; S.
Poems Buchan Dial.
2. Auld Birky, "In conversation, analogous to old Boy," Gl. Shirr.
Ramsay.

Allied perhaps to Isl. berk-ia, jactare, to boast; or biarg-a, opitulari, q. one able to give assistance.