- shrug (n.)
- a shoulder motion meant to express indifference, want of an answer, etc., 1590s, from shrug (v.).
- shrug (v.)
- c. 1400, schurgyng, of uncertain origin. Perhaps connected to Danish skrugge "to stoop, crouch." Related: Shrugged; shrugging. To shrug (something) off "dismiss" is recorded from 1909.