Shrug

The Shrug ( shrug ) is a gesture that will be raised in both shoulders and lowered again after various delay. Sometimes this gesture by the person concerned is also repeated several times at short intervals in order to enhance their impact. The shrug is considered as an expression of helplessness, indifference, or both, and is usually accompanied by the appropriate facial expressions.

Origin

It is believed that the shrug has its origin in the instinctive judgment of the difference in weight of two objects. By abwiegende movements with both hands and arms ( thereby also highlight the shoulders and lower ) the person tries to estimate the weight and thus the suitability of the two objects for a particular purpose. Implicitly, the person thus clarifies their uncertainty on this issue.

Another explanation sees the shrug as a symbolic shaking off a load.

Sayings

The term is also used in phrases such as " Then he could only reply with a shrug " ( = He had no idea ) or "She went with a shrug over it " ( = It did not care ).

• Gesture