Etymograph

English

shirk

Shirk may come from German Schurke ‘rogue, knave’.

  1. Germanc. 1650–presentSchurke‘rogue, knave’uncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1635shirk

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Germanc. 1650–presentSchurke‘rogue, knave’uncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1635shirk

Earliest quotation: 1635, Bishop Rainbow: “You that never heard the call of any vocation,…”

The story

First use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (‘rogue, knave’).

Linked words

through German Schurke ‘rogue, knave’

shark

Another origin of shirk

  1. Arabicc. 500–presentشِرْك‘verbal noun of شَرِكَ (šarika) (form I)’
  2. Englishtodayshirk

Today it means

verb To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / German Schurke / shirk

Shirt and support for this word