Sc. and north. dial. [Related SWANK a., SWANKING sb. and a.] A smart, active, strapping young fellow.

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1508.  Dunbar, Flyting, 130. Sueir swappit swanky, swynekeper ay for swaittis.

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1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 68. Swingeouris and scurrevagis, swankeis and swanis.

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1715.  Ramsay, Christ’s Kirk Gr., II. vii. The young swankies on the green Took round a merry tirle.

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c. 1756.  Jane Elliot, Flowers of Forest, 9. In Har’st at the shearing, nae swankies are jeering.

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1820.  Scott, Monast., xvi. There is a young swankie here who shoots venison well.

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  b.  adj. SWANK a., SWANKING a.

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1838.  J. Struthers, Poetic Tales, 78. Aye try to please, ’tis best—but sly wi’t, My swankie joker.

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1898.  N. Munro, John Splendid, xix. 188. Airlie’s troopers, swanky blaspheming persons.

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