Skerrick

[David Myer]

This is a word I use frequently. But it was only today that I stopped to think about it. So I looked it up:

1. Usually used in the negative. ...not a skerrick left...

2. Origin unknown.

But it is surely a Scottish word - or Norse (and what's the difference since the vikings were in the north of England and Scotland from way back?)

Can anyone throw some light on its origins?

David

[bnjtokyo]

According to the Oxford dictionary accessed though the "Search 1065 online dictionaries at once" on the top page of alpha Dictionary dot com website, it is defined as

"The smallest bit"
and the etymology is described as
"Early 19th century: of unknown origin. The word is also recorded as an English slang term meaning 'halfpenny'."

Also of interest is the wikipedia entry where "skerrick" is defined as
"a morsel of food" on a page devoted to the Norfolk Dialect
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_d ... Vocabulary

Some other dictionaries suggest it is of Scandinavian origin.

[Dr. Goodword]

It may have originated in Kiltland, but the OED claims that it is used mostly today in Australia. This is a fascinating word that I had not heard here in downtown Smoketown, so I put it on the list.