"If I cannot sew, I can yerk."

One cannot put one’s finger to one’s nose, or yerk ye in the ribs, or lay hold of your button in writing; but in all the most lively and titterly parts of my letter you must not fail to imagine me, as the epic poets say, now here, now there; now with one foot pointed at the ceiling, now with another; now with my pen on my ear, now with my elbow in my mouth.

George bit his lip, scratched his head with the awl, and gave the lingles such a yerk, that he made them both crack in two.

Kindle up your crackers, and yerk away!

Eh, but she maun hae made thae soldiers of Herod and thae grand wise-like lords yerk and fidge juist to watch her.