peert

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

This word has the same signification as perk, but is much more frequently employed. It is either an altered form of the word perk, or a corrupt pronunciation of pert. The phrase, 'as peert as a lizard,' is sometimes heard. It is used in a good as well as a bad sense, and especially of one who is recovering, or 'looking up,' after a fit of sickness.


I gave her the best bend I had in me, and raised my bran-new hat as peert and perlite as a minister.--Robb, Squatter Life.

Speaking of the recovery of his wife from sickness, Major Jones says:

Mary's rite piert, and her child is making a monstrous good beginnin' in the world.--Courtship, p. 200.

That fellow must think we were all raised in a saw mill, he looks so peert whenever he comes in.--Hoffman, Winter in the West.

Well, I starts off pretty considerable peert and brisk, considering I was weak.--Carlton, The New Purchase, Vol. I. p. 178.

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