'shrug' originates from Middle English, possibly from words such as 'shurken' or 'shrukken' (related to Germanic verbs meaning 'to shrink' or 'to contract'), where the root conveyed the idea of drawing in or contracting.

'shrug' changed from Middle English forms like 'shrukken'/'shurken' (with senses related to 'to shrink' or 'to contract') and eventually became the modern English 'shrug' with the sense of a shoulder movement.

Initially, it meant 'to draw together or contract (the shoulders)', but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'raise and lower the shoulders to indicate indifference, uncertainty, or lack of knowledge.'