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/ˈpɔːki/ · adjective
(Scotland, northern British) Shrewd, sly; often also characterised by a sarcastic sense of humour..
1836, Joanna Baillie, Witchcraft, Act 1, p.36-37. 'Awa', ye pawky thief! Dost tu think that I'll herrie the laird's cellar for thee or ony body?—But there's the whisky bottle in my ain cupboard, wi' some driblets in it yet, that ye may tak; and deil a drap mair shall ye get, an thy tongue were as guizened as a spelding. I wonder wha learnt sic a youngster as thee to be sae pawky.
[H]e generally meets her at one Signora Sporza's, a very pawky gentlewoman, who understands what's what as well as any woman in Naples […].
"I had occasion to comment last January, Watson," remarked Holmes, "upon the unexpected vein of pawky humor which you are developing.
Those unacquainted with the pawky humor of the Scot will search unsuccessfully in reference books for mention of the elusive Colonel Boffin.
Just as a pun, to be a good pun, has to be not only a play on words but have a serious meaning, so pawky humour must carry sense. However the underlying humour is always there.
Use pawky when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.
Pawky means (Scotland, northern British) Shrewd, sly; often also characterised by a sarcastic sense of humour..
Common synonyms include artful.
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
1836, Joanna Baillie, Witchcraft, Act 1, p.36-37. 'Awa', ye pawky thief! Dost tu think that I'll herrie the laird's cellar for thee or ony body?—But there's the whisky bottle in my ain cupboard, wi' some driblets in it yet, that ye may tak; and deil a drap mair shall ye get, an thy tongue were as guizened as a spelding. I wonder wha learnt sic a youngster as thee to be sae pawky.
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