Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. jolly, cheerful.

1900		Marvel XIV:361Oct. 6: Be perky, sir. Keep your spirits up, sir.
1928		D. Lawley Hustling Hobo 76: Now you’re in cow camp all darned perky like as though you had come special.
1934		Wodehouse Right Ho, Jeeves 184: G.G. Simmons was an unpleasant, perky-looking stripling.
1953		R. Chandler Long Good-Bye 77: There is the small perky blonde who is a little pale and wants to pay her own way.
1977		K. Gilbert Living Black 243: I remember seeing my perky little son.
1981		J. Wambaugh Glitter Dome (1982) 241: A perky valette took one look at the detective car.
1992		D. Jarman letter 30 May Smiling in Slow Motion (2000) 134: Dr Mark says I am much perkier.
2000		C. Cook Robbers (2001) 330: He’s not feeling real perky. Out of commission, you might say.

2. cheeky.

1960

H. Pinter Caretaker Act II: Now don’t get perky, son, don’t get perky. Keep your hands off my old mum.