The word "shirk" is spelled with the letters S-H-I-R-K. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced ʃɜːk. The "sh" sound is represented by the IPA symbol ʃ which is a voiceless postalveolar fricative. The "i" sound is represented by the IPA symbol ɜː which is a mid-central vowel. The "r" sound is represented by the IPA symbol ɹ which is a voiced alveolar approximant. Finally, the "k" sound is represented by the IPA symbol k which is a voiceless velar plosive.
Shirk is a transitive verb that can be defined as deliberately avoiding or neglecting one's responsibilities, duties, or obligations, often by shifting the burden onto others, or by evading or dodging one's fair share of work or effort. It implies a sense of intentionally escaping or sidestepping the required action or task.
The term is often associated with a lack of accountability or initiative, where individuals attempt to evade their obligations for personal gain or to avoid exerting the necessary effort. Shirk can manifest in various aspects of life, such as work, education, relationships, or even personal responsibilities. It highlights a behavior characterized by seeking shortcuts, excuses, or ways to pass the blame onto others.
Shirking can be detrimental to the overall functioning of a group, organization, or society, as it undermines productivity, trust, and cooperation among individuals. It can create a sense of unfairness and inequality, as some individuals carry a disproportional amount of the workload, while others shirk their responsibilities.
The concept of shirk is often associated with negative connotations, as it goes against the principles of integrity, responsibility, and good work ethic. However, it is important to note that shirking is a subjective assessment, as what may be considered shirking in one context may not be in another. Ultimately, shirk can be seen as a behavior that deprives oneself and others of the benefits of responsible and dedicated action.
To avoid or escape from anything by underhand proceedings; to seek to avoid the performance of duty.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shirk" originated from the Arabic language. It is derived from the Arabic word "شرك" (shirk), which conveys the meaning of "association" or "partnership". In Islamic terminology, it specifically refers to the act of associating partners with Allah, which is considered a grave sin in Islam. Over time, the word "shirk" was adopted into English, maintaining its original meaning of avoiding or neglecting one's duties or responsibilities.