Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

erk en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

(Australia) audio

Etymology

Claimed to be a respelling of the abbreviation airc for aircraftsman; or else from irk.

Meanings

(UK, slang) A member of the groundcrew in the RAF.
- But I wasn’t accepted for flying duty—eyesight failed me. Neither was Frank, which, I’m ashamed to say, I found a relief. We were both channelled as aircrafthands, known to everyone as erks. 2004, Andrea Levy, chapter 9, in Small Island, London: Review, page 345:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
erks	Number=Plur		lexicographic

erk en · INTJ · etymology 2

Pronunciation

(Australia) audio

Meanings

(colloquial) An expression of trepidation; eek.
(Australia, colloquial) An expression of revulsion or disgust; yuck.
- ‘Gawd, erk!’ She recoiled and turned away. 1959, D'Arcy Niland, The Big Smoke, page 43:
- ‘Erk! What’s that big ugly growth you’ve got?’ 1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, page 29:

Deriveds