Origin of shuffle

1525–35; < Low German schuffeln to walk clumsily or with dragging feet, mix (cards); akin to shovel

OTHER WORDS FROM shuffle

re·shuf·fle, verb re·shuf·fled, re·shuf·fling, noun un·shuf·fled, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for shuffle off (1 of 2)

shuffle off

verb

(tr, adverb) to thrust off or put aside shuffle off responsibility

British Dictionary definitions for shuffle off (2 of 2)

shuffle
/ (ˈʃʌfəl) /

verb

noun

the act or an instance of shuffling
a dance or dance step with short dragging movements of the feet

Derived forms of shuffle

shuffler, noun

Word Origin for shuffle

C16: probably from Low German schüffeln; see shove

Idioms and Phrases with shuffle off

shuffle off

1

Get rid of, act evasively, as in They've tried to shuffle off public inquiries about the safety of their planes. This usage, dating from about 1600, also appears in the oft-quoted shuffle off this mortal coil, from Shakespeare's Hamlet (3:1), where it means “become freed from the turmoil of life,” that is, “die.”

2

Move away reluctantly, dragging one's feet, as in The prisoners shuffled off to their work detail. [Late 1500s]