Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a general term of contempt, an insignificant person.

[1922		‘J.H. Ross’ Mint (1955) 83: [We] speak of ourselves as ‘ack-emmas’ (the air mechanic of the Great War) or ‘urks’. Urk corresponds with matlow or swaddy].
[1925		Fraser & Gibbons Soldier and Sailor Words 89: Erk, An: A rating [...] Lower deck colloquialism for any ‘rank’ not an officer].
1959		I. & P. Opie Lore and Lang. of Schoolchildren (1977) 195: ‘A person with whom you are not pally’, may be called (general terms): [...] erk, gawp, kid.
1962		H. Livings Nil Carborundum (1963) Act I: What do you know about it, you wet-eared erk!
1979		E. Bond Worlds Part I v: Mind you the security will be an erk.
1985		J. Sullivan ‘Watching the Girls go by’ Only Fools and Horses [TV script] Now listen you cretinous little erks!
1999		Guardian Weekend 5 June 34: He wired up the old projection room so as to play Tchaikovsky very loud for all the other erks.
2002		(ref. 1940s) B. Morrison Things My Mother Never Told Me 211: So many erks say what a marvellous daughter he has.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 218: The meek are erks. Definitely not going to inherit.