Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “shirk” come from?

I can't write this etymology summary because the chain provided is circular and repetitive (cycling between English shark and German Schurke), which doesn't establish a meaningful etymological pathway. Additionally, the known meaning is listed as "unknown," making it impossible to explain sense development as required. A valid etymology requires a linear chain showing language progression to an origin point.

shirk (English): To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility,...

Definitions

  1. To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility,...

Ancestry of “shirk”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanSchurkevillain, scoundrel
2EnglishsharkA scaleless, predatory fish of the superorder...

Words derived from “shirk”

  • shirker
  • shirky
  • shirketh
  • multishirk
  • shirkest
Every word from English shark →