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I've always taken the shoulder shrug to mean "I don't know" but have been told that in England it's an unfriendly way of saying "I don't care". A theory I like
by gradschool 5y ago
I've always taken the shoulder shrug to mean "I don't know" but have
been told that in England it's an unfriendly way of saying "I don't
care". A theory I like but can't confirm is that the gesture
originated during the French revolution to mime the effect of the
guillotine as a way of recommending silence about a dangerous subject,
and that it may still carry that connotation in France.
- Aicy 5y agoAs someone from England I can confirm that's true, although I think both meanings as possible depending on the facial expression that goes along with the shrug
- stronglikedan 5y agoIn the US, I've always used it (and seen it used) both ways, and a third way - "oh well!", depending on the context.
- BrandoElFollito 5y agoAs a French interested in our history, this is the first time I hear that theory. We do not even really shrug the shoulder, just move it up and then the real message comes from the head and the face you are making.