'shocker' originates from English, specifically from the noun 'shock' + the agentive suffix '-er', where 'shock' meant 'a blow or sudden disturbance'.

'shock' developed in Middle English from forms like 'shok' or 'shokke' meaning a blow or collision; the agentive suffix '-er' was later added to form 'shocker', giving the sense 'one that shocks' or 'that which causes shock'.

Initially, 'shock' primarily referred to a physical blow or jolt; over time it extended to emotional or psychological disturbance, and 'shocker' came to mean something that causes such disturbance.