shrink: short for headshrinker; slang for psychologist or psychiatrist
psychiatrist: a doctor with a specialization in mental health; can prescribe medication
psychologist: one who has a degree in psychology (may do research or clinical work); usually is not licensed to prescribe medication
term of endearment: a name that shows one’s admiration or love for someone
ego: one’s sense of self importance
alleviate: to remove something troubling or painful
Shrink Is Slang for Psychiatrist
The word shrink is slang for psychiatrist or psychologist. Like the word shark, which is slang for lawyer, the word shrink has negative connotations. Shrink is the short form of headshrinker. Headshrinking was an ancient tribal practice observed in the Amazon rainforest. Awarrior would take an enemy’s head as a trophy after a battle. A special technique was used to shrink the head and prevent the spirit of the dead from taking revenge. Some historians believe that the word shrink has a different origin in relation to psychotherapy. At one time, the primary role of a psychotherapist was to shrink a person’s ego. Today, mental health professionals work on shrinking their patients’ or clients’ problems and alleviating trouble in the brain. When someone says, “I have to go and see my shrink tonight,” it could be considered a term of endearment.
