Shrink to think

[Beeesneees]

With respect, the idea that the phrase could be 'embraced' to the point where it becomes popular is moving the goalposts a little.
t isn't a standard phrase and its use as part of a test question is unfair.
As responses to the test question none of the options make any real sense.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

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Hi,

For all those who continue to doubt and have doubted over the years, I attach a reply I received this morning:

From: Crystal David <davidcrystal1 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: I shrink to think
Date: 31 January 2012 12:19:01 GMT
To: Alan Townend <alan.townend at english-test.net>

Thanks for your message. I've no idea why people have taken against this expression. I've heard it (and used it) often enough. The use of 'shrink' with an infinitive is known in the language since the 16th century, and the OED has a jingle of 'think' and 'shrink' from as early as Sir Philip Sidney. It only takes a minute on Google to find examples of prior use of this expression and its variants, such as 'shrank to think' in Flexner's biography of Copley.

With good wishes

David Crystal

Professor David Crystal

www.davidcrystal.com
http://david-crystal.blogspot.com
www.shakespeareswords.com
www.theshakespeareportal.com
www.originalpronunciation.com

'The Story of English in 100 Words' was published by Profile Books in October 2011
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Beeesneees]

This is the first thing I found in my minute's googling.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/spellcheck/british/?q=I+shrink+to+think.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Kati Svaby]

Hello,

We are afraid of ideas, of experimenting, of change. We shrink from thinking a problem through to a logical conclusion.
Anne Sullivan Macy

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/shrink_2.html#ixzz1lDLD6njQ

I don't think life is absurd. I think we are all here for a huge purpose. I think we shrink from the immensity of the purpose we are here for.
Norman Mailer

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/shrink.html#ixzz1lDO35g6p

Norman Mailer quotation can mean :We shrink to think of the immensity of the purpose we are here for.
_________________
We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Kati Svaby]

Hello,

For me this expression is familiar because it exists in Hungarian also. Me, as a teacher who taught mentally deficient children I think this word came to everyday life from the psychology.

shrink (n) in English slang it means a psychiatrist or a psychologist

to shrink + (adv/prep)(v) (I) = to move back or away from sth because you are frightened or shocked its meaning the person fears stressfully to think of thinking/facing up to the fact.

So:
shrink to think = I am frightened/ terrified /scared of thinking of sth / or giving in another thought of sth
or
She doesn't dare to face up to a problem, she shrinks to think/ face up to the fact.
_________________
We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Tandenko]

I posted my question here by mistake.
But I don't know how to delete it.
So I edited the question into my apology.
Sorry for that x(

[Kati Svaby]

Hello,

Perhaps here on the 231 # pemalink was the place my first spam . I was helpless and I didn't do what to do. This spam was different from those I received later on and since I have been receiving almost every day. But this FIRST was an other thing. Spam but very personal, it was written to me.

I answered several times " shrink to think" dispute. I was familiar with it because it exists 'word for word' in Hungarian also. I remember when I wrote to Alan: I understand it and it is easy to remember it because it has an interior rhyme. This comment caused an indignation and Bez answered me "...you have posted the same question there that Alan answered it". It wasn't true because I wrote about its interior rhyme what about Alan never wrote.

It is interesting that I received the spam here, we were just left our home, so I had no time to think what to do, only I send the link to Illegallife and I asked a piece of advice because this spam was a humiliating spam for me, and it was incredibly mean.

He answered the next:

"I am sorry that there are still guys who have not nurtured into human and has remained a mere speaking animal all there life and are due live their life out in this disgusting approach, and I am again sorry that why the founders of this site allow that type of defamatory posts and showcase them even for a short while. They need to be there and check whatever is posted or else the site would resemble a state of anarchy where those evil-minded individuals tarnish other's reputation. Considering all what I stated if I were you I wouldn't treat them back the way they have done to me I would forgive them and this is what makes me feel great and let me enjoy having peace of mind, you are great dear Kati and shouldn't bother yourself worry about other’s remarks, let them die in this stupid and preposterous world he has built for himself and even by keeping silent and forgiving you help him feel sorry. "

Since I get used to receiving spam. But these was other kind of spam!!! This spammer had only one letter, he/she logged in that day, and I was the target. This evokes me always my first spam. What was this? Why this dislike towards me?

Who could send this spam? Somebody who didn't agree with this expression so much that kicked a big one to the person who dared to take the courage to interfere with the big one's business and agree with the correctness of this expression.

Alan also thought that he had to prove his truth by another person, Professor David Crystal. That was the most revolting.

I am convinced that this spam was sent by a Forum member who was dealing this expression and called its correctness in question.

How is possible that somebody logged in and answer something passionately. He/she could do it if keeping an eye on this dispute.

Regards:
Kati Svaby
_________________
We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Alan]

Hi Kati,

I've lost the line of your comments - what did you mean when you said:

[Kati Svaby]

Hello Alan,

I thought of this letter what you published on The Forum.

[Alan]

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Hi Kati,

It's a hard time on this site sometimes trying to make a point. Too often certain personalities can't handle a discussion and then get all dramatic and flounce about when an alternative point is suggested. I've been reminiscing this afternoon and thinking that there seems to be a lack of colourful contributors about as there used to be when Torsten and I first launched this site. Ah! Those were the days.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Kati Svaby]

Hello Alan,

Do you read the letters sending to you? The people are not stupid and though they can't speak so well as you or Torsten everybody realizes the talent. Your explanations are always so logical, easily understandable that it fascinates everybody. I see because I admire these letters which try to express their gratitude. You can say: those days are here , they didn't go away for you.

I wouldn't like to receive a similar letter than I received for that I appreciated your indefatigable work here on the forum. Many thanks for it.

Regards:
Kati Svaby
_________________
We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Beeesneees]

[Alan]

Good effort but must try harder.
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions