While shrugging is a common expression, used by many cultures, the explanation as to why we shrug is still vague and for the most part an unanswered question. Perhaps warranting a shrug to answer its own question. While empirical data and theories are limited, a few people, most notable Darwin, did try to provide theories such as why. Theories extend from it being an expression of one’s emotions to convey uncertainty or dismissive to their listener to a primitive expressive act that humans innately engage in.

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Abraham: VOTE! Support science-supporting candidates
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Links and References
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug
- http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?pageseq=1&itemID=F1142&viewtype=text
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPN2717RMLY
- http://kensycooperrider.com/blog/origins-of-the-shrug
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0145482X0009400902?casa_token=osepvyNFZN4AAAAA%3A16yxNAS8KzTXPtFt4211l-h7x8ZOpO1dzkOnSYRleifsPVwxee_351yF-jwoAbseO3yg4N1_h66PUw&
- https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/semi.1977.19.1-2.13/html
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/26203884?saml_data=eyJzYW1sVG9rZW4iOiI5MDE3NWU1Ny1lMzNjLTQ1ZmItODIzZi00NTM2OGQ5ZGY4YzgiLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6WyJmOTI0NWE1OS1mMzExLTRmYWUtYmM3NS05ZWU3YzdmMWZjZWYiXX0&seq=4#metadata_info_tab_contents
- https://benjamins.com/catalog/getpdf?webfile=a34225979

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