'shirk' originates from Middle English, likely from Middle English 'schirken' or similar forms, and is possibly influenced by Middle Low German words with related senses of turning aside or avoiding.

'shirk' changed from Middle English forms such as 'schirken' and later stabilized into the modern English verb 'shirk'.

Initially it meant 'to turn aside or dodge', and over time it came to mean more specifically 'to avoid a duty or responsibility'.