dirk

A dirk is a long thrusting dagger historically associated with Scotland and the Highland tradition. It typically features a straight, double-edged blade that ranges from about eight to twelve inches (20 to 30 cm) in length, with a tapered point. The hilt varies, often with a simple guard or a short grip, and many examples were worn as part of Highland dress or carried for personal defense.

Historically, the dirk served as a personal weapon for Highlanders from the 16th through the 18th centuries and remained a symbol of status and identity in Scottish culture. It was commonly worn with a belt and plaid, and sometimes paired with a sgian-dubh tucked in the sock. In naval contexts, sailors sometimes carried a shorter dirk as a secondary weapon. Today, the dirk survives mainly in ceremonial use, historical reenactment, and as a collectible antique.

Dirk is also a given name, particularly in Dutch- and German-speaking regions. It is often a shortened form of Diederik, itself from the Germanic Theodoric. The name has been borne by various notable people, including the German basketball player Dirk Nowitzki and actors Dirk Benedict and Dirk Bogarde. In culture, the name appears in fictional works such as the character Dirk Gently in Douglas Adams’s novels and adaptations.

In contemporary references, the word dirk denotes both the historical weapon and its cultural associations, while as a given name it remains common in parts of Europe and among descendants of those linguistic traditions.